84 CLASS-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY. 



§ 354. This Gull is constantly seen flying over the Bay 

 of New York and the Hudson River, busy in catching 

 fish. The female lays her greenish-gray, brown-spotted 

 eggs on the bare ground. 



§ 355. They sleep together, in large flocks, upon the 

 water ; and when awakened by the approach of a vessel, 

 they produce sounds which resemble, at a distance, the 

 talking of many men. 



§ 356. The Pelican, (Pelecanus Onocrotalus.) distin- 

 guished by an enormous bag-like crop, capable of con- 

 taining twenty pounds of water, is larger than a Swan, 

 and weighs from twenty to thirty pounds. It is of a red- 

 dish-white color, and is found in all the warmer countries 

 of the world. 



§ 357. The Pelican has been celebrated from the most 

 ancient times as a symbol of maternal love. They say 

 that it tears open its breast to nourish its young with its 

 blood. But this error originated probably from the red 

 color of the extremity of its pointed bill, which it moves 

 downwards, against the bag, in order to discharge from it 

 the food for its young. 



\ 358. The Goose (Anas Anser) is two feet and a half 

 long, weighs about ten pounds, and is of a gray color. It 

 is a native of the temperate countries of Asia and Europe, 

 and the original stock of our domestic Goose. 



\ 359. The Goose is one of the most useful birds in our 

 barnyards, on account of its feathers, eggs, and flesh. 

 The rearing of Geese might be made a source of much 

 profit to farmers who possess uncultivated land, in which 

 to pasture them. Goose-liver pies may be put up in her- 

 metically-closed tin boxes, or the whole fowl smoked ; 

 thus furnishing valuable articles for home consumption or 

 for exportation. 



\ 360. From the city of Riga are exported thousands 

 of smoked geese every year. The goose-liver pies, pre- 

 pared in the city of Strasburg, are celebrated in all parts 

 of the world, and used as an excellent fresh food during 

 long sea-voyages. 



\ 361. The Canvass-back (Anas Vallisneria) is a duck 

 of about two feet long, weighs three pounds, is ash-col- 



