168 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 



its velocity. Darting from on high in pursuit 

 of its prey, which the keenness of its vision ena- 

 bles it to perceive at a great distance, it boldly 

 contests the possession of it with any rival that 

 may approach. In that case, glancing from 

 side to side, it surrounds the enemy with such 

 strategic skill, as effectually to cut off all hope 

 of retreat, until at length he is found to drop 

 the prey from his open bill. Several of his 

 own species then observing the good fortune 

 of the pelican, smitten with envy, enclose him 

 for a combat. Dashing towards him on widely 

 extended wings, they writhe around in wide 

 circles, each one as it overtakes him lashing 

 him with its pinions, and fighting for the treas- 

 ure. In this manner, passing from bill to bill, 

 the poor captive is carried through the air. With 

 the early dawn, this bird commences his pilgrim- 

 age in search of prey. Before the awakening of 

 any of the more amiable songsters, he emerges 

 from his roosting place steathily. Onwards he 

 sails towards the deep, when the richly-tinted 

 green waters lie still ungladdened by the sun. 

 Then flapping his pinions far into the pure 

 azure he soars and floats around. Again de 

 scending with half closed wing he makes to- 

 wards the sea, and having secured his food 

 shoots away. 



Or in the gloom of a gathering hurricane, 



