540 PALMIPEDES. 



FAMILY V. 



Pelecanid.^. Tlce Telicans. 



Gen. Charac. — Bill more or less long, broad at the base, straight, and com- 

 pressed to the tip, which is sometimes hooked ; the nostrils linear, and 

 sometimes scarcely visible ; the wings long, and the first quill the longest ; 

 the tarsi short and robust ; the toes long, and all four connected together 

 by a broad membrane ; the face and throat more or less naked, the latter 

 sometimes furnished with a naked dilating skin, or pouch, from the base of 

 the lower mandible. 



Tlie Pelecanidae are distinguislied from tlie pre- 

 ceding families by tlie peculiar structure of their 

 feet^ wliicli are furnished with four toes^ all united by 

 a continuous web, the hind toe being situated upon 

 the inner part of the tarsus, and rather directed 

 towards the front. The bill in the various genera is 

 strongly formed, and generally longer than the head; 

 in many the tip is bent downwards, and armed with 

 a very strong hook ; in others it is straight and 

 sharp-pointed. In the latter case the tail is long 

 and forked, and the legs very short, as in many of 

 the Raptorial order. The feet are small, and the web * 

 connecting the toes so curtailed as to be inadequate 

 for swimming. These birds live almost entirely in the 

 air, and take their food upon the wing, swoopingdown 

 upon the flying-fishes as they spring out of the sea, 

 or harassing other aquatic birds, till they disgorge 

 their prey, which is caught ere it reaches the surface 

 of the water. In those genera that in their habits 

 approach nearer to the typical Swimmers, we find 

 another modification of form. Thus the Cormorants, 

 well known for their aquatic powers, have the body 

 long and flattened, and the wings, although equal to 

 vigorous flight, much shorter than in the section 

 last mentioned. Their legs also are placed near to 

 the extremity of their body, and have not the same 

 freedom of action ; in consequence of which they are 

 compelled both to sit and walk almost in a perpen- 



