REPTILES. 187 
Pelicans. This bird is noted for rapidity and endurance 
in flight. It has been known to be on the wing continu- 
ously for several days and nights. It sometimes takes a 
nap on the back of some turtle that it finds. The Frig- 
ate Pelican, or Man-of-war Bird, is another tropical bird 
of similar powers of flight. Its extent of wing is enor- 
mous. ‘“ Although, when stripped of its feathers,” says 
Wood, ‘it is hardly longer than a Pigeon, yet no man 
can touch at the same time the tips of its extended 
wings.” Under the throat is a large pouch of a deep red 
color, which can be distended with air at pleasure. Both 
this and the Tropic Bird are fond of capturing the Fly- 
ing-fish. 
Questions.—What is said of the Grallatores? What are their fam- 
ilies? What are the characteristics of the Bustards? What is said 
of the Great Bustard? What of the Plovers? What of the Oyster- 
catcher? What of the Lapwing? What is said of the Cranes? 
What of the Trumpeter? What of the Herons? Of the Spoon-bills? 
What are the peculiarities and habits of the Rooks? What singular 
birds are mentioned as belonging to this family? What is said of the 
Snipes? What of the Curlews? What of the Avocet? What of 
the Rail family? What of the Jacanas? What are the characteris- 
tics of the Natatores? What are their families? What is said of the 
Ducks and Geese ? What of the two kinds of Ducks? What of the 
Swans? What of the Flamingo? What of the family of Divers ? 
What of the Grebes? Of the Auks? Of the Penguins? Of the 
Gulls? Of the Stormy Petrel? Of the Albatross? Of the Terns? 
Of the Pelicans? Ofthe Cormorant? Of the Tropic Bird? Of the 
Frigate Pelican ? 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
REPTILES. 
‘302. Tue cold-blooded division of the Vertebrates com- 
prises the Reptiles and the Fishes. In the warm-blood- 
ed division the blood of each animal has a certain natural 
degree of heat, which is maintained quite uniform under 
