192 THE PELICAN. 



they dart down and seize it, with the greatest certain- 

 ty, and store it in their pouches. They then rise 

 again, though not without difficulty and labour, and 

 proceed as before. This work they continue, until 

 their pouches are full, when they proceed to the 

 shore, and having taken a comfortable seat, they pro- 

 ceed to make a most abundant meal on the fruits of 

 their labour. But though they carry as many fish at 

 once, as would serve a large party at a dinner, still 

 the work of the morning does not procure them suf- 

 ficient food for the day for in the afternoon they have 

 another call of hunger, which they go forth to satisfy 

 before the approach of night. 



At evening, when their fishing is over, they retire a 

 little way from the shore, where they perch on the 

 tallest trees they can find, for the night. The figure 

 they cut here, is very odd, and ridiculous. Their 

 great flat feet, and their clumsy, goose-like appear- 

 ance, are so out of place, when perched, with the 

 airy birds of the forest, on the highest places, that no 

 one can witness such a display, without amusement. 

 It looks like an ambitious attempt to associate with 

 their more decent neighbours, though by doing so, 

 they only make themselves still more ridiculous by 

 the comparison. 



In the day-time, except when they are labouring to 

 satisfy their appetites, these lazy birds spend their time 

 in the most dismal solemnity. They sit perfectly still, 

 with their chins resting on their breasts, and to ap- 

 pearance, half asleep. Thus they remain, fixed and 

 motionless, until driven by hunger, again to go forth, 

 in search of provisions. 



