148 t H E P E L I c A ir. 



THE PELICAN. (Pelecanus onocrotalui.^ 



The White or Great Pelican, or Pelecan, resembles thr 

 swan in shape and colour, but exceeds it in size. Tha 

 singularity, however, which distinguishes it from all cthei 

 birds, is in the bill and the great pouch underneath, which 

 merit a particular description. 



The bill of this bird is about sixteen inches long, from 

 the point to the opening of the mouth, which is a good wa;» 

 behind the eyes. It is very thick at the base, where it is 

 of a greenish tint, but tapers off towards the end, which 

 curves downward, and is of a reddish blue. At the lower 

 edge of the under chap hangs a pouch, capable of containing 

 fifteen quarts of water, and reaching the whole length of 

 the bill to the neck : this bag is covered with a very soft 

 and smooth down, and, when empty, is scarcely perceptible ; 

 as the bird has the power of wrinkling it up into the lower 

 jaw. This bird was formerly known in Europe, par- 

 ticularly in Russia ; but at present it is only found in Africa 

 and America. 



The Pelican has strong wings, furnished with thick 

 plumage of an ash-colour, as are the rest of the feathers 

 over the whole body. The large legs are lead-coloured, and 

 the claws gray. The number of toes is four, and these are all 

 webbed together. The eyes are very small, when compare^/ 

 with the siz(3 of the head, and there is something in tsf 

 eountenance very sad and melancholy. 



