PELICANIM;. 259 



formed by itself, or supplied by rabbits, if they happen to be 

 inhabitants of the same locality. Audubon found them 

 breeding in such abundance in Labrador that some of the 

 islands were completely undermined by them. Where any 

 nest is formed, a small quantity of grass is placed in the 

 hole occupied for the purpose of incubation, and at a depth 

 of two or three feet from the entrance. The bird lays but 

 one egg, which, if its home is invaded, it stoutly defends 

 with its powerful beak. The egg, about the size of a do- 

 mestic fowl's, is white, delicately, and in some instances in- 

 distinctly, spotted with greyish tints. (PL XYII.fig. 101.) 



PELECANUm PELICANS. 



Of the different genera comprised in this family two only 

 are British, and those represented but by three species. 

 The birds of the Pelican tribe are characterized by having 

 the hind toe united to the rest by a continuous membrane, 

 whicfi renders their feet perfect oars, yet they are almost 

 the only Natatores which perch upon trees. They fly well, 

 are voracious, and chiefly frequent the sea, except during 

 the season of incubation. 



THE COMMON COEMOIIANT. Pkalacrocorax carlo. The 



