WATER FOWL. 363 



minute history of this bird, as found in America ; 

 and from him I will borrow mine. 



The pelican, says Labat, has strong wings, fur- 

 nished with thick plumage of an ash-colour, as are 

 the rest of the feathers over the whole body. Its 

 eyes are very small, when compared to the size of 

 its head j there is a sadness in its countenance, and 

 its whole air is melancholy ; it is as dull and re- 

 luctant in its motions as the flamingo is sprightly 

 and active. It is slow of flight ; and when it rises 

 to fly, performs it with difficulty and labour. No- 

 thing, as it would seem, but the spur of necessity, 

 could make these birds change their situation, or 

 induce them to ascend into the air j but they must 

 either starve or fly. 



They are torpid and inactive to the last degree, 

 so that nothing can exceed their indolence but 

 their gluttony ; it is only from the stimulations of 

 hunger that they are excited to labour, for other- 

 wise they would continue always in fixed repose. 

 When they have raised themselves about thirty 

 or forty feet above the surface of the sea, they turn 

 their head with one eye downwards, and continue 

 to fly in that posture. As soon as they perceive 

 a fish sufficiently near the surface, they dart down 

 upon it with the swiftness of an arrow, seize it with 

 unerring certainty, and store it up in their pouch. 

 They then rise again, though not without great 

 labour, and continue hovering and fishing, with 

 their head on one side as before. 



This work they continue with great effort and 

 industry till their bag is full, and then they fly to 

 land, to devour and digest at leisure the fruits of 



