200L0GY. 123 



least frequented seas, are gregarious, and feed on fish ; they 

 are all covered with a thick short down; they lay but one 

 egg ; swini and dive admirably ; but from the position of 

 their legs, which are situated at the extremity of their bodies, 

 they walk badly. The skins of some of the species are 

 dressed, and formed into various kinds of dresses, by the 

 inhabitants of those countries where these birds are natives. 

 None of the species are found in Europe. 



1 5. Pelicanus. Pelicax. Bill strong, hooked or sloping at 

 the point ; nostrils wanting, or placed in a longitudinal 

 furrow : face and gullet bare of feathers, or only 

 covered with very short down ; the gullet capable of 

 great distention -jfeet webbed, four toed, all connected. 



All this family are expert fishers, are constant inhabitants 

 of the sea-shore, particularly where it is rocky ; they are 

 gregarious, extremely voracious, and usually build their nests 

 which are composed of sea-weeds, on shelving rocks, the 

 flesh of all the kinds is rank, and loathsome. The large 

 white Pelican, (P. Onocrofalus,) sometimes builds its nest 

 in dry sandy deserts, far from the sea; from the capacity of 

 their gular pouches, they are able io convey a considerable 

 quantity of food and water to their young, though the nest 

 has been known more tlian fifty miles, in a direct line from 

 the nearest sea-coast, or river. The common Corvorant, 

 (P. Carbo,) has been so far tamed, as to become familiar, 

 and in some countries is used to catch fish, first having a 

 leathern thong put beneath the pouch, to prevent its swal- 

 lowing any fish it may procure ; all the species swim and 

 dive well. Several species frequent the British Islauds. 



