630 ORNITHOLOGY. 



ever, in the bright moonlight, floating as a mass some distance out upon the 

 water; and no sooner had we left the boat than they turned and swam slowly 

 back again. Our blankets were spread upon the higher ground, some dis- 

 tance from the boat, in order to avoid the offensive smell of the roosting- 

 ground. No sooner had we retired than the Pelicans all returned, and in 

 the morning, when we awoke, the whole beach about fifty yards distant 

 was covered with a dense crowd of these gigantic snow-white creatures, 

 who scarcely heeded us as we arose from our blankets ; as we approached 

 them, however, they pushed one another awkwardly into the water, or rose 

 heavily and confusedly from the ground, and flying some distance out iipon 

 the lake, alighted on the water. Now and then, one swimming from the 

 shore would turn its head and gaze upon us with a melancholy look ; but 

 the majority of the flock remained upon the water only a short time, when 

 they arose and flew over us, divided into battalions, each turning its head 

 and looking down upon us as it went by. 



In this connection, it may perhaps be well to remark that of the many 

 individuals killed, including old and young of both sexes, and of the thous- 

 ands seen, not one possessed at this time the horny appendage to the culmen 

 of the upper mandible, so characteristic of the species during the breeding- 

 season. Three specimens, an adult male and female and a full-grown young 

 bird of the year, were prepared ; but our return to camp being attended by 

 many difflculties, they were lost. 



The next visit to the lake was made in December, following, when Mr. 

 Parker extended us an invitation to accompany him to the agency of the 

 reservation ; but during our stay of about a month we did not see a single 

 Pelican, all having retired to the southward. Their return was first observed 

 about the twentieth of the following March, when we noticed, at Carson 

 City, immense flocks of them passing northward, in the direction of the 

 lake. They flew at a great height, and at times appeared bewildered, 

 moving in circles and deviating from the course they had pursued, as if 

 uncertain of their way. 



In May, 18G8, the lake was again repaired to, and at this time we 

 found the Pelicans in as great abundance as during our visit the summer 

 previous ; they appeared to be much more active, however, pairs, small 



