STRANGE BIRDS 



139 



on the shore and the mud flats and fought over 

 decayed food stranded there, thrown out from 

 the seaside market and from the boats that 

 brought in fruit to the market. 



Fig. 60. Vulture hanging over the waterfront 



Down in the bay, well out from shore, were 

 brown pelicans, with queer leathery pouches under 

 their bills to make room for a large catch of fish. 

 These might be seen flying ^ overhead in the 

 V-shaped formation that wild geese use. They 

 dived from the air after fish, beak and breast 

 together, with an awkward, resounding splash 

 that reminded us comically of a small boy learning 



