THE PELICAN. 
PELECANUS OnocROTALUS. Linn. 
Tue Pelican affords an excellent illustration of the fifth 
and last Order of Birds, the Swimmers; the essential 
character of which consists in the membranous union of 
the toes, which renders them what is usually termed ' 
web-footed, and enables them to propel themselves upon 
the surface of the water with greater or less rapidity in 
proportion to the greater or less comparative extent of 
the membrane in which their toes are enveloped. They 
are all consequently inhabitants of marshy situations, of 
the banks of rivers and lakes, or of the seacoast; and 
most of them seek their subsistence in their most con- 
genial element, the water, notwithstanding that by far 
Q 2 
