PELICAN 179 



one general scene of rapacity and cunning, of stratagem 

 and evasion. 



Perhaps no bird is capable of supporting itself so long 

 on the bosom of the air as the albatross. It seldom ap- 

 proaches the land, except during the season of incuba- 

 tion ; but continues hovering night and day on the wing, 

 apparently insensible of fatigue, but always appearing us 

 if emaciated with hunger. 



Though this bird may be justly deemed one of the 

 greatest tyrants of the deep, it is not destitute of some 

 social qualities. Between it and the penguin there seems 

 to be a reciprocal affection : they always choose the 

 same breeding-places, usually some unfrequented island : 

 here their nests are contiguous, and their harmony is un- 

 disturbed. 



THE PELICAN. 



The common pelican (for there are several species) is 

 considerably larger than the swan, and nearly of the same 

 shape and colour. Its neck is long, and the toes are all 

 connected by webs. But the chief peculiarity of the 

 pelican consists in its enormous bill, and the extraordinary 

 pouch underneath. The former is fifteen inches long, 

 from the point to the opening of the mouth, which is 

 placed at some distance, behind the eyes. From the 

 lower edges of the under-chap is suspended a large bag, 

 reaching its whole length ; and said to be capable of con- 

 taining fifteen quarts of water. This appendage the 

 bird is capable of contracting or distending at pleasure. 

 When empty, it is scarcely perceptible ; but when the 

 pelican has been successful in fishing, it becomes dilated 

 to an incredible extent ; for the first occupation of the 

 bird on such occasions is to replenish its bag, after which 

 h retires and feeds at leisure. This bag is said to be 

 capable of concealing as many fish as would satisfy six 

 hungry men. 



Wonderful as the conformation of the pelican is, it falls 

 rery short of the fables that have been invented con- 



I 6 



