202 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



seen in vast flocks. Brehm gives an excellent account of their habits from his own observations in 

 Egypt and the Nile Valley. He states that in no other part of Africa dil he see such vast numbers 

 of Pelicans collected together as on th3 Lake of Menzaleh, where the flocks of these birds covered the 

 water to the extent of a square mile or more, looking, at a distance, like gigantic water-lilies. If any 

 one shoots at them they rise en missz, with a rushing sound, not unlike tho rolling of drums, which 

 may be heard a mile off. The same observer relates that they lie on the water as if they were made 



of cork, and it is only in shallow water, to the bottom of which they can reach with their long neck 

 aid hooked bill, tl:at they usually fish for food. They hunt in company, and on large lakes or on the 

 sea-shore they form a semicircle, gradually paddling inwards and narrowing the diameter, so as to en- 

 close the fish, which fall victims to the rapacity of these powerful birds. On narrow rivers or canals 

 they form two lines, which face each other and gradually meet, so as to drive the fish between them. 

 They will, however, swallow young birds and ducklings, though fish is their general food. The daily 

 life of a Pelican, writes Dr. Brehm, " is conducted in a very regular manner : the early hours of 

 morning are employed in catching food, and they may then be seen hastening from all quarters to the 

 fishing-ground, in small or large parties, the former flying in single file, the latter in the well-known 



