G28 ORNITHOLOGY. 



Pehcanus occipUalis, liiDGWAV, American Sportsman, Vol. IV, No. 10, Aiijr. >*, 

 1.S74, I). liOT. [Xame proposed in case the western birds prove distinct IVom 

 the eastern.'] 



In July, 1867, when encamptd at tlie Big Bund of the Triu-kee 

 River, about fifteen miles from Pyramid Lake, our first opportunity was 

 afforded to observe the habits of the White PeUcan. At that lime few 



' In the author's paper, above cited ["Breeding-ground of White Pelicans at Pyr- 

 amid Lake, Nevada"), certain discrepancies between the dcst iii)tions given by various 

 authors, of the breeding plumage, and form of the mandibular crest, of the White 

 Pelicans of the northern and eastern (wrtions of the continent, and the characters 

 of those observed at Pyramid Lake, are noted ; these consisting, in brief, of the i)os- 

 s<'ssion by the latter of a conspicuous patch of dusky-grayish on the occiput, whicii 

 is wanting in the former, the absence of a yellowish occi|>ital crest and a rosy tint to 

 the i)lumage, which is mentioned in nearly all descriptions, the smaller general size, 

 and other minor points of dilference. Captain IJendire, however, who foun<l these 

 birds breeding at Lake Milheur, southeastern Oregon (see Rod and Gun, June 1!), 

 IS?."), p. 1!)4), says that those observed by him had a irliile occipital crest, while he 

 does not mention any dusky occipital spot. This apparent ditl'ereiice between the birds 

 of two quite adjacent localities is explained, however, by Mr. C. J. Maynaril, who from 

 observations on a specimen kept in confinement, ascertained that this dusky spot 

 n\>\)i.'ii\t^ o)ihj after the occipildl oTxt is dropped ; and that this takes i)lace Just at the 

 close of the breeding-season is proven by the fact that our visit to Pyramid Lake was 

 in the latter i)artof ^lay, when these birds liadjnst made tlw'iv second altcinpt to raise 

 a brood of young, the first eti'ort having been foiled by the gulls, who had broken and 

 eaten the eggs. It is a notable fact, in this connection, that our birds possessing the 

 dusky occipital spot had dropped the mandibular excrescence. Mr. Maynard's bird was 

 obtained in Florida (the date of <;ai)ture is not mentioned), and had then the manilib- 

 ular excrescence and an occipital crest; these were both thrown ott' early in May, irheii 

 the duxly spot on the occiput made its appearance, the general plumage and the colors of 

 the .soft i)arts at the same time unilergoing certain changes — the brilliant orange of the 

 gular sac and orbital region fading to yellow. At tlie same time, however, Mr. May- 

 naufs specimen diUered in certain resi)ects from all western examples which we havi( 

 seen, which still renders it likely that, as we suggested, the eastern and western birds 

 of this species may prove to be dilferent races. As to this, Mr. Maynard, in the 

 article cited above, says: " When captured he [the Florida si)ecimenj had a line occip- 

 ital crest three or four inches in length, of a pale straw-color [italics our own). • • 

 The feathers of the back, usually the terliaries, had an elomjated central spot of pale 

 roseate. The center of the taH feathers were also of a beautiful roseate tinge. Others shot 

 at the .same time agreed irith the description given above." Mr. JIaynard .also states that 

 his bird had hazel eyes instead of a-hite, and that the eyelids were yellow instead of 

 ivd; and that "although Audubon and -Mr. Kidgway state that Pelicans have white 

 eyes, all that I have examined have hazel.'' It may yet be ascertained, however, that 

 at the iiToper .season (the height of the i)airingseason) the western White Pelicans 

 may al.so possess the rosy tinge to the ])lumage, the yellow crest, etc., and that the color 

 ol the iris may be to a certain extent dei)eudent ou age. 



