THE PELICAN. 19t 



wide at the part where it joins the head, and gradually 

 tapers like a wedge, from this part to the point. 



' In what respect does the Pelican differ from other birds ? 



The Pelican differs from other birds in having a 

 large bag, or pouch, attached to the under mandible, 

 in which he stores his fish. 



Where is this bird found ? 



This bird is found in North and South America, 

 and in Africa. 



The Pelican is celebrated chiefly on account of the 

 enormous bag, or pouch, which, as already stated, is 

 attached to his under jaw. When the bird goes out 

 to fish, he does not, like other birds, swallow his prey 

 one after the other, as fast as they are caught, but he 

 places them in his bag, until he returns to the shore, 

 when they are eaten at his leisure, or given to his 

 young, as occasion requires. This bag is so large as 

 to hold two dozen good sized fish at a time. 



Labat, a traveller of credit, seems to have studied 

 the habits and manners of the Pelican with much at- 

 tention, and from him we give the following account. 

 This bird has strong wings, and a thick plumage all 

 over the body. His eyes are small, and there is a 

 sadness, and kind of melancholy in his countenance. 

 He is, indeed, dull, slow of flight, and so very lazy,, 

 that nothing but the calls of hunger w r ill drive him to 

 do any thing. 



When hungry, and obliged to go out a fishing, they 

 rise forty or fifty feet above the surface of the sea,, 

 and fly slowly along, turning one eye downwards to 

 watch for their prey. When they see a fish near 

 enough to the surface of the water for their purpose. 



