348 



EASTERN ETHIOPIA 



XXVIII 



ingenuity has been exercised to account for the origin of 

 the legend. None is satisfactory. It is an established 

 fact that the pelican feeds its chicks on fishes which 

 have been partially macerated in its own crop. 



The biggest bird that flies, the Marabou, is easily 

 recognised by its huge and powerful bill, and scabrous 





The Marabou Stork (Leptoptilus crumenifer) has the longest bill 

 of any living bird, and it is the biggest bird that flies. It is 

 sometimes nearly five feet high. 



head with a few small feathers scattered about it. The 

 huge pouch hanging in front of its neck is most 

 conspicuous when the bird feeds. These scanty feathers 

 and the pouch have earned for this stork the name of 

 Leptoptilus crumenifer. As if to make up for this 

 deficiency about the head and neck, the bird is furnished 



