THE PELICAN. 217 



followed the blow, the air for some feet above the 

 water was spangled with bright specks of herrings, on 

 which the united host of birds again pounced, forming 

 one mingled mass of herrings, sea-fowl, and foam. 



In the West Indies, it appears that some of the 

 species of Pelicans are able to immerse their bodies; 

 and, after diving and bringing up their pouches full 

 of fish, will good-naturedly allow the Parasite Gulls 

 (so called from being in the habit of living on the 

 labour of others), to settle on their heads, and par- 

 take of the spoil * ; a fact, in great degree corrobo- 

 rating the Russian account of the Cormorants, just 

 mentioned. If the Pelicans of the West Indies 

 permit themselves to be made into resting-places 

 for other birds, those of the Eastern world consider 

 themselves equally privileged to make resting- 

 places for themselves on the bodies of animals. On 

 the banks of the river Tigris in Asia, the favourite 

 resort of a species of Pelican (Pelicanus fuscus), 

 they may be seen in great numbers, spreading their 

 silvery wings, quietly settled on the backs of the 

 buffaloes, which are plunging into the water, and 

 patiently accommodating themselves to this incum- 

 brancet. We know that cows will allow of Mag- 

 pies sitting on their backs, and pecking holes in 

 their hides, for which they ought to be grateful, as 

 the Magpie is doing the poor beast an essential ser- 

 vice, by ridding it of the grub of the Gad-fly ((E sir us 

 bovis\ the sound of even one of which will send a 

 herd off at full gallop, with their tails in the air ; 



* Transatlantic Sketches. 

 -f- Mignan's Travels. 



