GREAT P E L E C A N. V 



fca. It agrees entirely with the Pelecan of the old continent, except 

 in the bony proceffes on the bill. The othet was fent, with other 

 •birds, from Hudjon's Bay, to the Royal Society. Inftead of the 

 bony proceflTes on the bill, was a tuft or fibrous fringe, fufficient to 

 identify the fpecies. This fpecies extends over moft parts of the 

 torrid zone, and many parts of the warmer temperate. Is found in 

 -Europe on the lower parts of the Danube, and in all parts of the 

 Mediterranean fea, almoft all Africa, and Afia Minor. Are feen in in- 

 credible numbers about the Black and Cajpian feas j and come far 

 up the rivers, and into the inland lakes of the Aftatic Ruffian em- 

 jpirej but grow fcarcer eaftward, and are feldom met with fo far 

 ■north as the Sibirian lakes ; yet are not unknown about that of 

 Baikal. They are common on the coaft of New Holland, where they 

 grow to an enormous fize *. They feed upon fifhj which they 

 take fometimes by plunging from a great height in the air, and 

 feizing, like the Gannet : at other times, they fiih in concert, 

 fwimming in flocks, and forming a large circle in the great rivers, 

 ■which they gradually contraft, beating the water with their wings 

 and feet, in order to drive the fifh into the center ; which when they 

 -approach, they open their vaft mouths, and fill their pouches with 

 their prey, then incline their bills, to empty the bag of the water; 

 .after which they fwim to fhore, and eat their booty in quiet. As 

 the pouch is capable of holding a dozen quarts of water, a guefs 

 may be made of the quantity of fifhes it can contain. The French 

 •very properly call them Grand-gofiers, or Great-throats. It is faid 

 •that when they make their nefts in the dry deferts, they carry the 

 water to their young in their vaft pouches, and that the lions and 

 beafts of prey come there to quench their thirft, fparing the young, 

 the caufe of this falutary provifion. Poffibly, on this account, the 

 Egyptians ftyle this bird the Camel of the Ri'ver ; the Perjians, Tacab, 

 .©r the Water-carrier. 



* CooVs Tirft Voy.'m. ti"], 



4E 2 Pelecanuj 



579 



