The Pelican. 



377 



YII. Palmipedes, or Web-footed Birds. 





THE PELICAN, (Pelicanus onocrotalus,) 



Is in size about equal to the swan ; the colour of the 

 body is white, inclining to pink ; the beak is straight 

 and long, with a sharp hook at the end ; the skin of the 

 lower mandible is so capable of distension, that it may 

 be dilated to contain fish in large quantities. This pouch 

 Providence lias allotted to the bird, that he may bring 

 to his eyrie sufficient food for several days, and save 

 himself the trouble of travelling through the air, and 

 watching and diving so often. The legs are black, and 

 the four toes palmated. It is a very indolent, inactive, 

 and inelegant bird, often sitting whole days and nights 

 on rocks or branches of trees, motionless and in a melan- 

 choly posture, till the resistless stimulus of hunger spurs 



