230 THE TOWER MENAGERIE. 
three eggs, and has built herself a very perfect nest for the 
purpose. Should these be brought to maturity, as there 
is every reason to expect, they will probably be the first 
that were ever hatched in England. She never quits her 
charge; but is fed by the male, who crams his pouch 
with double his usual allowance, and then proceeds to 
shovel her fair share into his partner’s throat. It is in 
this manner also that the young are fed, the old bird 
pressing his full pouch against his chest, and contriving 
thus to disgorge a portion of its contents; an action 
which has no doubt given rise to the fabulous notion of 
the Pelican’s feeding its young with its own blood. In 
fact, the appearance of the bird when in this attitude, 
with the bloody spot on the end of its bill closely pressed 
against the delicate plumage. of its breast, may readily 
account for the prevalence of such an idea in the minds 
of superficial observers. The first traces of this fable are 
to be found in the writings of some of the early fathers 
of the church, and it was eagerly adopted by the heralds 
of later days, whose unbounded credulity was ever on 
the watch for the marvellous, in natural history more 
especially. : 
Our birds are commonly allowed three dozen of small 
live plaice each per day. 
