476 WEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 



BROWN PELICAN. 



(Pelecarms fuscus, Linn. Bonap. Synops. No. 352. Vieill. Gal. 

 des Oiseaux, pi. 276. Dusky Pelican, Penn. Arct. Zool. ii. No. 

 50C. Pelican brun d'Jlmerique, Buff. Ois. viii. p. 306. PL Enlum. 

 957. P. carolinensis , Lath. Penn. No. 507. P. trachyrhyncus, 

 and P. erijthrorlujncos, of authors. Phil. Museum, No ) 



Sp. Charact. — Middle nail serrated internally; primaries black, 

 the shafts white ; the 1st quill equal to the 5th. — Adult blackish- 

 ash, back and wings hoary ; crown yellowish ; neck deep chest- 

 nut, margined each side with white. Young wholly brownish. 



The Brown Pelican inhabits exclusively the sea coast of 

 the warmer parts of America, being abundant in the West 

 Indies, particularly in Jamaica, Barbadoes, &c. It is also 

 seen in Mexico, the Bay of Campeachy, and as low as Car- 

 thagena and Cayenne. They are likewise common in 

 the Southern States, abounding in the bay of Charleston 

 where they are seen actively engaged in pursuit of their 

 prey. They likewise breed and inhabit in the peninsula of 

 East Florida, and occasionally wander up the Mississippi as 

 far as the river Missouri. They are, like the pre^ceding 

 species, very gluttonous and voracious. After gorging them- 

 selves, they retire to the rocks or islets, and during the pro- 

 cess of digesting their enormous meal, remain dozing and in- 

 active for hours together, with the bill resting on the breast, at 

 which times, in South America, it is no uncommon thing for 

 the natives to steal upon them unawares, and seize them by 

 the neck without their making any defence or resistance. 

 Yet, like some other gregarious birds, they are said to show a 

 great affection for the wounded of their own species to whom 

 they will carry a supply of food. Father Raymond relates, 

 that he had seen one of these Pelicans so well tamed and taught 

 among the aborigines, that it would go off in the morning, 



