REPTILES. 187 



Pelicans. This bird is noted for rapidity and endurance 

 in flight. It has been known to be on the wing continu- 

 ously for several days and nights. It sometimes takes a 

 nap on the back of some turtle that it finds. The Frig- 

 ate Pelican, or Man-of-war Bird, is another tropical bird 

 of similar powers of flight. Its extent of wing is enor- 

 mous. " Although, when stripped of its feathers," says 

 Wood, "it is hardly longer than a Pigeon, yet no man 

 can touch at the same time the tips of its extended 

 wings." Under the throat is a large pouch of a deep red 

 color, which can be distended with air at pleasure. Both 

 this and the Tropic Bird are fond of capturing the Fly- 

 ing-fish. 



Questions. What is said of the Grallatores ? What are their fam- 

 ilies ? What are the characteristics of the Bustards ? What is said 

 of the Great Bustard? What of the Plovers? What of the Oyster- 

 catcher ? What of the Lapwing ? What is said of the Cranes ? 

 What of the Trumpeter ? What of the Herons ? Of the Spoon-bills ? 

 What are the peculiarities and habits of the Rooks ? What singular 

 birds are mentioned as belonging to this family? What is said of the 

 Snipes? What of the Curlews? What of the Avocet? What of 

 the Rail family ? What of the Jacanas ? What are the characteris- 

 tics of the Natatores ? What are their families ? What is said of the 

 Ducks and Geese ? What of the two kinds of Ducks ? What of the 

 Swans? What of the Flamingo? What of the family of Divers? 

 What of the Grebes? Of the Auks? Of the Penguins? Of the 

 Gulls ? Of the Stormy Petrel ? Of the Albatross ? Of the Terns ? 

 Of the Pelicans ? Of the Cormorant ? Of the Tropic Bird ? Of the 

 Frigate Pelican? 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



REPTILES. 



302. THE cold-blooded division of the Vertebrates com- 

 prises the Reptiles and the Fishes. In the warm-blood- 

 ed division the blood of each animal has a certain natural 

 degree of heat, which is maintained quite uniform under 



