368 SWIMMERS. 



BROWN PELICAN. 

 Pelecanus fuscus. 



Char. Upper parts ashy gray ; head white ; neck rich chestnut ; wing- 

 coverts and rump brown ; under parts brownish gray ; bill brownish ; sac 

 dusky ; legs black. Length about 4 feet. In winter the head and neck 

 are white. 



Nest. On an island along the coast, usually on the ground, sometimes 

 in a tree ; made of twigs and sedges, and lined with grass. 



Eggs. 2-5 (usually 3) ; white, with a chalk-like surface ; 3.00 X 1.95. 



The Brown Pelican inhabits exclusively the sea- coast of the 

 warmer parts of America, being abundant in the West Indies, 

 particularly in Jamaica, Barbadoes, etc. These birds are like- 

 wise common in the Southern States, abounding in the bay of 

 Charleston, where they are seen actively engaged in pursuit of 

 their prey. They likewise breed and inhabit in the peninsula 

 of East Florida, and occasionally wander up the Mississippi as 

 far as the river Missouri. They are, like the preceding species, 

 very gluttonous and voracious. After gorging themselves, they 

 retire to the rocks or islets, and during the process of digest- 

 ing their enormous meal remain dozing and inactive for hours 

 together, with the bill resting on the breast, at which times, 

 in South America, it is no uncommon thing for the natives to 

 steal upon them unawares and seize them by the neck, with- 

 out their making any defence or resistance. Yet, like some 

 other gregarious birds, they are said to show a great affection 

 for the wounded of their own species, to which they will carry 

 a supply of food. Father Raymond relates that he had seen 

 one of these Pelicans so well tamed and taught among the 

 aborigines that it would go off in the morning, and return 

 before night to its master with its pouch distended with fish, 

 a great part of which the savages made it disgorge, leaving it 

 in possession of the remainder as a reward for its service. 



The Brown Pelican is common on the coast of the Gulf States, 

 and on the Atlantic to North Carolina. A few examples have 

 wandered as far north as Massachusetts and Illinois. 



