436 THE EMPIRE OF THE AIR. 



cease his rascally tricks at night, for if he is allowed he will stay up, 

 like the human biped. 



In the garden or yard, you must not expect him to fraternize with 

 the other inmates; he has a profound contempt for these weak-headed 

 winged creatures. He will not quit the neighborhood of mau's social 

 gathering, but he will squat down all rolled up in a ball, in the middle 

 of the group, rest his bill on his back, and from this vantage ground 

 his intelligent eye will follow every gesture and every word spoken. 



He imposes himself upon man as his companion; he decides that his 

 society will be accepted, and as after all he is not very troublesome, 

 as — far from being repugnant — he is clean and stately, man gives in 

 and becomes his friend. 



We have yet to speak of the pelican when in possession of his full 

 wings, when he is able to fly; for up to this we have only described 

 the bird whose wings have been clipped ; but the chapter would be 

 endless. 1 will only add this, that his familiarity grows with his 

 wings. Judge then what it becomes when his plumage is comx^lete. 



It might perhaps be possible to acclimate the pelican in Europe, in 

 full liberty. He would find himself so expatriated that he might not 

 attemi)t to escai»e. Should his wings be allowed to grow his first 

 trials of flight would not permit liim to tliink of undertaking along 

 journey; at most, he might visit the surrounding country the first 

 year. Care being taken to keep him captive in September — the period 

 of migration — we might in a country wherein hunting them was pro- 

 hibited treat ourselves to the curious sight of the evolutions of these 

 great water birds which are as amiable as the swans which we have 

 are stupid and miscliievous. 



The Swan. — There are two cities where the swan is easily observed, 

 Geneva and London. The foggy atmosphere of the Thames does not 

 permit of keeping them in sight very long, moreover they look very 

 melancholy on that foul stream. 



To observe them thoroughly, there is but one spot — the lake of Cleu- 

 eva. There these beautiful birds are (piite at home, and act as if they 

 owned the whole lake. 



They build tlieir nests in the moats of the city, and make the rounds 

 to beg, or rather to collect their daily rations of bread, as far asVille- 

 neuve. They even do more, they follow the steamboats and dip down 

 to gather food thrown o\ev to them; then when the boat has gained a 

 mile or two ahead, they resume their flight, catch up with the shij) aMd 

 settle in its wake. 



Their flight is a composite of beats of small amplitude, alternated 

 with rectilinear glidings. They do not wheel in circles like the pelicans 

 and birds of prey; they always proceed in a straight line, like tlie 

 ducks, the geese, and in fact like all birds which have but little propor- 

 tional surface at their command. 



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