FEEDING OF THE YOUNG. .195 



giving two. Albertus Magnus says, l< The pelican 

 derives its name (pelle cana) from the white colour 

 of its feathers. It is said to be indigenous to the 

 banks of the Nile. Two species are described : one 

 the water-pelican, which feeds on fishes ; and the 

 other the land-pelican, which preys on serpents and 

 vermin. It is said, also, to be fond of the milk of 

 crocodiles, which is left on the mud of marshes ; on 

 which account, also, the pelican follows the crocodile. 

 Some writers assert, that this bird destroys such of 

 its own young as offend it, but after lamenting them, 

 for a time, again brings them to life by means of 

 blood drawn from its own breast by a wound. 

 From this wound, and the loss of blood, the bird 

 becomes so weak as to be unable to leave its nest, 

 and the young ones are therefore compelled to pro- 

 vide food both for themselves and their dam. And 

 if there should be any of them which, either through 

 inertness or want of filial affection, refuse to procure 

 food for her, as soon as she acquires vigour she 

 drives them away, but permits those who have been 

 attentive to her to follow her wherever she goes." 

 He adds with great simplicity, " but these things are 

 rather to be found in history, than proved by philo- 

 sophical experience*." 



We find the same legend in a passage of the 

 curious old writer BartholomaBus, which Berthlet 

 thus renders : " Plinius saith in this manner: The 

 pelican loveth to mocke her children ; for when the 

 children been haught [grown] and begin to wax 

 hoar, they smite the father and the mother in the 

 face, wherefore the mother smiteth them again and 

 fleeth them [drives them away]. And the third 

 day she striketh herself on the side that the blood 

 runneth out, and sheddeth that hot blood upon the 

 bodies of her children. And by virtue of the blood 

 the birds that were before dead quicken again." 

 * Albertus Magnus, De Animal, lib. 23. 



