414 ANSERES. — PELECANID^. 



recumbent trunk of a tree on which it roosted within 

 the yard. It had been found necessary to pluck its 

 wing within the last two or three months to restrain 

 it within bounds, in consequence of its absence lat- 

 terly with the wild birds for several days in suc- 

 cession ; and in this state it was reduced as for- 

 merly to depend on the fishermen for food. The 

 old habit of abstinence and drowsy repose on the 

 Sundays again recurred, and when I saw it, it 

 was once more a tranquil observer of the rest, 

 and with it the fast, of the Sabbath day." 



Robinson describes one in captivity, as *^a bold 

 fierce bird, which would snap his beak not only 

 at dogs and other small animals, but even at men 

 and horses, that came inadvertently within his 

 reach." (MSS.) 



The Pelican is sometimes taken much in the 

 same manner as Gannets in England. A fish is 

 fastened to a board, which is swiftly drawn through 

 the sea by a canoe under sail; the Pelican plunges 

 down upon it, and breaks his neck with the 

 violence of the contact. Although the beak is 

 not pointed, but hooked at the extremity, Sam 

 has assured me that it has been known to be 

 driven through the soft wood of the cotton tree, 

 when that has been used for the board. The 

 flesh is eaten by some of the negroes, notwith- 

 standing its insupportable fishy odour; to over- 

 come which in some degree, they bury it for some 

 hours in the sand of the beach, after which they 

 subject it to three or four boilings before it is 

 eaten. 



