452 EXPLAXATORY IXDEX. 



modified into a poucli, whicli can be greatly distended. It is 

 chiefly used for cariying fish to its young, and being large 

 enough, when fully distended, to hold two gallons of water, it 

 ean carry a plentiful supply. 



Keepers of travelling menageries are in the habit of exhibit- 

 ing the capacity of the pouch by thrusting their bent arms 

 into it. Yet when it is not needed for use, it can hardly be 

 seen, so elastic are the membranes of which it is composed, 

 and the pelican only looks like a bird with a long, straight 

 beak. 



As far as can be judged from its behaviour in captivity, it 

 is a playful bird, but rather quick tempered. AYhile watching 

 the pelicans at the Zoological Gardens, I was able to secure a 

 few of their characteristic attitudes. 



Fig. 1 represents a bird that had just been fed, and was 

 I'esting after its dinner. 



Fig. 2 is the same bird as it appeax'ed at feeding time, when 

 it was scolding another for eating a fish which it wanted for 

 itself. 



Fig. 3 shows the attitude of a pelican while sunning itself, 

 with the pouch slightly expanded. 



Fig. 4 gives the attitude when the bird is startled by an 

 unexpected noise. 



Fig. 5 represents the bird in the act of preening the feathers 

 of the breast. This attitude gave rise to the fable of the 



