54. WATER BIRDS 
Adults in Winter : Similar to above, but lacking the crest and the horny 
protuberance on bill. Pouch, bill, and feet lemon-yellow. 
Young: Plumage white, merging to brownish gray on top of head ; 
bill, pouch, and feet pale lemon. 
Geographical Distribution : Temperate North America, south in winter 
to Mexico ; common on the coast of California. 
Breeding Range: Southeastern Oregon, Red River valley in British Co- 
lumbia; lakes of the interior west of Mississippi River, and from Utah 
northward. 
Breeding Season: Approximately, April 15 to August. 
Nest: A pile of sand heaped up about 8 inches high and 14 inches 
in diameter, sometimes lined with sticks and slightly hollowed out 
on top. Usually on dry sandy beach of an island. 
Eggs: 2, rarely 4; chalky white. Size 3.45 X 2.30. 
THe American White Pelican has become a com- 
paratively rare bird east of the Mississippi River, but 
is abundant throughout the coast of Southern and Cen- 
tral California and on Santa Barbara Island. Mr. 
Grinnell reports it breeding at Eagle Lake. It feeds 
while on or in the water, scooping the fish in its bill 
when swimming or wading, seldom diving for them 
from the air, and always tossing the catch until it can 
be swallowed head first. Crustacea are rarely if ever 
eaten by this species, and they will travel many miles 
for fish rather than eat frogs. 
“Often a flock will band together and, by beating 
their wings, drive a school of fishes into the shallows, 
where they gather up large numbers at every scoop of 
their big bag. The water taken is allowed to drain out 
of the corners, and the fish are swallowed. If the bird 
is fishing to feed her young, she still does the same, 
and afterwards disgorges the fish; for she could not 
fly if her pouch were filled with fishes.” ? 
1 Mrs. Eckstrom, in ‘‘The Bird Book.” 
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