PELICAN, CASSOWARY. 101 



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. The chief peculiarity, however, of the 

 Pelican lies in the 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 containing 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 thing which the bird wishes to effect in 

 fishing, is to replenish its bag, and then to retire and feed 

 at leisure. Tertre affirms, that it is capable of concealing 

 as many fish as would satisfy six hungry men. 



Wonderful as the conformation of the Pelican is, no 

 doubt it falls very short of the fables that have been in- 

 vented concerning it. We have been gravely amused with 

 stories of its feeding its young with its own blood, and of 

 filling its pouch with water, to supply them in the deserts. 

 Struck with its extraordinary figure, mankind seem to have 

 been willing to supply it with no less extraordinary 

 qualities and appetites : and, having found that it possessed 

 a large reservoir, they were inclined to convert it to the 

 most tender and parental uses. But the fact is, pelicans are 

 very heavy, sluggish and voracious birds; and possess 

 no instincts but what are necessary for the preservation 

 of the kind, and the supplying themselves with a suf- 

 ficient quantity of food. However, they feed their 

 young with macerated fish for a time, and attend with 

 affectionate assiduity, till they are able to provide for 

 themselves. 



