PELICANS. 433 



making away to avoid me along the shore of a reedy marsh, which was lined 

 with alligators, and the first impression on my mind was that I beheld a snake. 

 To pursue these birds at such times is useless, as they cannot be induced to 

 rise, or even to expose their bodies. Wherever the limbs of a tree project 

 over and dip into the water, there the darters are sure to be found, these situa- 

 tions being convenient resting-places for the purpose of sunning and preening 

 themselves, and probably giving thern a better opportunity of observing their 

 finny prey. They crawl from the water upon the limbs and fix themselves in 

 an upright position, which they maintain in the utmost silence. If there be 

 foliage or long moss, they secrete themselves in it in such a manner that they 

 cannot be perceived except one is close to them. When approached, they 

 drop into the water with such surprising skill, that it is astonishing how so 

 large a body can plunge with so little noise, the agitation of the water being 

 apparently not greater than that occasioned by the gliding of an eel." 



Sub-Family III. 

 THE PELICANS PROPER. PELECANIN^. 



General Characteristics.— Bill lengthened, slender, depressed on the culmen, the 

 sides much compressed, and the tip hooked and more or less compressed ; the nos- 

 trils placed in the lateral grooves, and scarcely visible ; the wings lengthened and 

 pointed ; the tail rather short, and generally wedge-shaped ; the tarsi short and 

 robust ; the toes lengthened, with the outer one equalling the middle one, and all four 

 united together by a membrane ; the lower mandible and throat lurnished beneath 

 with a membranous pouch, more or less capable of extension. 



These large birds are very widely distributed over the world. 

 In the northern parts of America they are found as far as 6i°. 

 They live in the vicinity of rivers or lakes, and on the sea-coast. 

 In the morning and evening they are seen in small flocks of from 

 six to fourteen individuals, engaged in fishing until their pouch is 

 sufficiently filled. They then retire to some secluded retreat 

 among the rocks and shoals, or doze on the surface of the water, 

 while leisurely digesting their freshly-caught meal. 



" It is a pleasant sight," says Mr. Gosse, " to see a flock of peli- 

 cans fishing. A dozen or more are flying on heavy flagging wings, 

 over the sea, the long neck doubled on the back, so that the beak- 

 seems to protrude from the breast. Suddenly a little ruffling of 

 the water arrests their attention, and with wings half-closed down 

 each plunges with a resounding splash, and in an instant emerges 

 to the surface with a fish. The beak is held aloft, a snap or two 

 is made, the huge pouch is seen for a moment distended, then 



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