90 FLORIDA BIRD-LIFE 



THE PELICAN'S HOME-LIFE 



In March, 1898, I anchored my sloop within a hundred 

 yards of Pelican Island and for the greater part of four 

 days and nights gave my attention to the life of the island. 

 I returned to the island in April, 1900, using the same 

 methods of study as before. At no time, however, were the 

 birds unaware of my presence and it was not until a blind 

 was employed in April, 1905, and in March, 1908, that I real- 

 ly entered the inner circles of Pelican society. Erected 

 among the thickly set nests it was shortly accepted as a part 

 of the landscape, and so far as the Pelicans were concerned, 

 I left the island when I entered the blind. Soon the birds 

 began to return to the nests or young they had reluctantly 

 deserted at my approach, and in a few minutes the routine 

 of Pelican Island was resumed ; and one experienced the 

 wholesome satisfaction and quite indescribable fascination 

 of being closely surrounded by wild creatures, that, un- 

 aware of your existence, live their lives in an absolutely 

 natural manner. 



With a wing spread of between seven and eight feet, a Pel- 

 ican is an impressive bird even at a distance ; but when doz- 

 ens of the broad-pinioned birds swept by me within arm's 

 length. I realized that given the excitable, courageous nature 

 of Terns and Gulls, the Pelicans might dispense with the 

 services of a warden. 



It is true, a bird which had placed its nest on a stump six 

 feet from my shelter snapped its bill loudly at me when I 

 peered at her through a slit in my blind. The young defend 

 themselves in a similar manner until their wings will bear 

 them, when, like their seniors, they show their faith in the 

 valorous discretion of flight. 



In February, 1905, a norther had flooded the lower por- 

 tions of the island washing hundreds of eggs from their 

 nests and forcing many birds to begin household duties 

 again. April of that year afforded, therefore, an excellent 

 opportunity to observe many phases of the Pelican's nest- 



