PELECANID^— THE PELICANS. 201 



before them into shallow water and then scoop it into their ca- 

 pacious pouches, the Brown Pelicans soar above the water, 

 into which they plunge from varying heights, in the manner of a 

 Fish Hawk, onh- tlieir prey is seized by the bill instead of the 

 feet. 



"Birds of this species are said to feed chiefly during the rising 

 tide, wandering in extended trains along the shore, and diving 

 occasionally, one after the other, when they meet with a shoal 

 of fish. Tiiey are very regular in their motions when flying, 

 keeping at uniform distances, alternately flapping and sailing, 

 in imitation of their leader. They usually fly very close to the 

 surface of the water, and then merely plunge obliquely, holding 

 the bill so as to scoop up the small flsh sideways; then, closing 

 the wings, they hold up the head with the bill down, so as to 

 allow the water to run out. This permits the escape of some of 

 the fish, and gives the parasitic gull a chance to obtain a share 

 of the plunder, without in the least offending the dignified peli- 

 can. Sometimes this bird dives from a considerable height, 

 plunging downward with a spiral motion, although scarcely ever 

 going beneath the surface, but immediately raising its bill from 

 the water — usually with a stock of young fish in it. As a gen- 

 eral rule this pelican does not catch fish more than six inches 

 long; but occasionally one weighing more than two pounds and 

 a half may be found in its pouch. Like most fish-eaters, the 

 pelican is a stupid bird, seeming to have no ideas beyond the 

 supplying of its immediate wants." ( Water Birds of North 

 America. ) 



Not only does the Brown Pelican, when so inclined, perch eas- 

 ily and gracefully upon the branches of trees, but it frequently 

 also builds its nest on the tops of the mangroves which line the 

 shores of its habitat. The eggs are like those of the White 

 Pelican, except in size, their dimensions [averaging only about 

 3.01x1.95 inches. 



—26 



