198 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



which the birds unite and drive the fishes into shallow water, 

 where they can catch them, which they cannot well do in deep 

 water, as their skins are honeycombed with air cells that buoy 

 them up like cork, and prevent their diving, and they do not 

 plunge for their food when upon the wing, like their cousins, 

 the Brown Pelicans, and therefore have to adopt fishing habits 

 suited to shallow waters. I have often noticed the birds in 

 flocks, in pairs, or alone, swimming on the water with partially 

 opened wings, and head drawn down and back, the bill just 

 clearing the water, ready to strike and gobble up the prey 

 within their reach; when so fishing, if they ran into a shoal of 

 minnows, they would stretch out their necks, drop their heads 

 upon the water, and with open mouths and extended pouches 

 scoop up the tiny fry. Their favorite time for fishing on the 

 seashore is during the incoming tide, as with it come the small 

 fishes to feed upon the insects caught in the rise, aud upon the 

 low forms of life in the drift, as it washes shoreward, the larger 

 fishes following in their wake, each from the smallest to the 

 largest eagerly engaged in taking life in order to sustain life. 

 All sea-birds know this and the time of its coming well, and 

 the White Pelicans that have been patiently waiting in line 

 along the beach, quietly move into the water, and glide smoothly 

 out, so as not to frighten the life beneath, and, at a suitable 

 distance from the shore, form into line in accordance with the 

 sinuosities of the beach, each facing shoreward and awaiting 

 their leader's signal to start. When this is given, all is com- 

 motion; the birds, rapidly striking the water with their wings, 

 throwing it high above them, and plunging their heads in and 

 out, fairly make the water foam, as they move in an almost 

 unbroken line, filling their pouches as they go. When satisfied 

 with their catch, they wade and waddle into line again upon 

 the beach, where they remain to rest, standing or sitting, as 

 suits them best, until they have leisurely swallowed the fishes 

 in their nets; then, if undisturbed, they generally rise in a flock, 

 and circle for a long time high in air. Several 



years ago, in the month of September, I had the pleasure of 

 observing a small flock of the birds fishing in the Neosho River, 

 Kansas. When late at evening they were forced by tired wings 

 to stop in their southward flight, the place selected was in still 

 deep water, at the head of a fall, or rapids, in the stream, 



