Sir R. H. Schomburgk on the Birds of Siam. 265 



39. Pelecanus philippensis. (Nock katung.) 



The Pelican is by no means an uncommon bird on the coast, 

 ;md is even met with at a distance of from 200 to 300 miles 

 up the river. While approaching Kansowan during my journey 

 to Xiengmai I saw a number circling in the air, showing in 

 their gyrations now their black wing-feathers, now their white 

 backs. There were a large number ; still their gyratory move- 

 ments never brought them into collision. They alighted on the 

 river, swimming before us ; I counted hurriedly about 150. They 

 were shy, and would not allow us to come near enough to fire 

 at them with probable success. They swam much quicker 

 against the current than we could row ; at last, being out of 

 patience, two guns were fired at them, but none told, and up 

 rose the flock to repeat anew their gyrations in the air. 



The wing-feathers of these birds form an article of trade to 

 China ; they are principally exported for the manufacture of fans. 

 The quills, for the purpose of writing, are as good as those of 

 geese, but they are not used in that way either in China or in 

 Siam. The birds which I saw in such large numbers up the river 

 I consider to be P. philippensis ; its congener, P. onocrotalus, 

 is seldom to be seen. I copy the following from my note-book 

 up the Menam ; — "A White Pelican proudly navigated the river, 

 throwing only a cursory glance at us. It was the first of that 

 kind which I had seen during my present journey, though they 

 are said to be numerous near Nockbuci, which by canalization 

 is connected with the Menam. I gave orders not to fire at him, 

 because I saw already that Kam, our lively bow-man, had taken 

 up his rusty musket." 



On another occasion, while going to visit Pechaburi, I saw 

 one swimming in the Gulf of Siam. The common species is 

 sometimes kept in a domesticated state amongst the fowls in the 

 poultry-yard. They, of course, expect to be provided with fish by 

 their owner; but some time since I possessed one whicli went 

 upon its own fishing-expeditions, and returned in the evening to 

 the poultry-yard. It seems that either the love of liberty or 

 the scarcity of fish in the river carried him seaward; for one 

 evening he did not return : I was told he had been seen at 

 Paknam, about eighteen miles below Bangkok. I now possess 



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