274 MULE-HUNTING EXPEDITION. 
erythrorynchus). Their nests were on the 
ground, amidst the rushes, but unluckily I did 
not succeed in finding an egg. The nest is 
simply a confused heap of rushes, with a lot of 
down and feathers in the centre. On the water 
these huge birds swim as easily, buoyantly, and 
gracefully as swans; and in. fishing, do not 
swoop down from a height, as does the brown 
pelican, but thrust their heads under water, and 
regularly spoon up small fish with their immense 
pouched beaks. 
Where could one find a more enjoyable sight, 
whether viewed with the eye of a naturalist or 
lover of the picturesque? Before me is the reedy 
swamp, with its open patches of water, glittering 
like mirrors in the bright sunlight, rippled in all 
directions by busy beavers: some making a hasty 
retreat to their castles, others swimming craftily 
along, crawl on to the domes and peep at the 
intruder. Dozing on the sandbanks round the 
margin of the pools, or paddling with ‘ oary feet’ 
on the smooth water, are numbers of snowy peli- 
cans: the bright orange encircling the eyes, and 
colouring the pouch, legs, and feet, looks like 
flame, contrasted with the white feathers, so inten- 
sified is the color by the brilliancy of the sun-rays. 
Pintails, shovellers, stockducks, the exquisitely 
