276 



THE SEASON WHY. 



'I am like a pelican of the wilderness : I am like an owl of the desert. I watch, 

 and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top." PSAXM en. 



CHAPTER LV. 



1091. Why do quadrupeds that are vegetable eaters feed 

 so continually ? 



Because their focc contains but a small proportion of nutrition, 

 so that it is necessary to digest a large quantity to obtain 

 sufficient nourishment. 



1092. Why do flesh eating animals satisfy themselves with 

 a rapid meal ? 



Because the food which they eat is rich in nutritious matter, 

 and more readily digestible than vegetable food; it does not 

 therefore, require the same amount of -grinding with the teeth. 



Fig. 73. PELICAN WITH DILATED POUCH. 



1093. "Why has the pelican a large pouch under its lill 

 Because it subsists upon fish, generally of the smaller kind, and 

 uses its pouch as a net for catching- them ; the pouch also serves as 



