378 BROWN PELICAN. 



great bill of theirs, as they trim their plumage ! Now along each broad 

 quill it passes, drawing it out and displaying its elasticity ; and now with 

 necks stretched to their full length, and heads elevated, they direct its 

 point in search of the insects that are concealed along their necks and 

 breasts. Now they droop their wings for a while, or stretch them alter- 

 nately to their full extent ; some slowly lie down on the sand, others 

 remain standing, quietly draw their head over their broad shoulders, 

 raise one of their feet, and placing their bill on their back, compose them- 

 selves to rest. There let them repose in peace. Had they alighted on 

 the waters, you might have seen them, like a fleet at anchor, riding on 

 the ever-rolling billows as unconcernedly as if on shore. Had they 

 perched on yon mangroves, they would have laid themselves flat on the 

 branches, or spread their wings to the sun or the breeze, as Vultures are 

 wont to do. 



But see, the tide is advancing ; the billows chase each other towards 

 the shores ; the mullets joyful and keen leap along the surface, as they 

 fill the bays with their multitudes. The slumbers of the Pelicans are 

 over ; the drowsy birds shake their heads, stretch open their mandibles 

 and pouch by way of yawning, expand their ample wings, and simulta- 

 neously soar away. Look at them as they fly ever the bay ; listen to the 

 sound of the splash they make as they drive their open bills, like a pock- 

 net, into the sea, to scoop up their prey ; mark how they follow that 

 shoal of porpoises, and snatch up the frightened fishes that strive to escape 

 from them. Down they go, again and again. What voracious creatures 

 they are ! 



The Brown Pelicans are as well aware of the time of each return of 

 the tide, as the most watchful pilots. Though but a short time before 

 they have been sound asleep, yet without bell or other warning, they 

 suddenly open their eyelids, and all leave their roosts, the instant when 

 the waters, which have themselves reposed for a while, resume their mo- 

 tion. The Pelicans possess a knowledge beyond this, and in a degree 

 much surpassing that of man with reference to the same subject : they 

 can judge with certainty of the changes of weather. Should you see 

 them fishing all together, in retired bays, be assured, that a storm will 

 burst forth that day ; but if they pursue their finny prey far out at sea, 

 the weather will be fine, and you also may launch your bark and go to 

 the fishing. Indeed, most sea-birds possess the same kind of knowledge, 

 as I have assured myself by repeated observation, in a degree correspond- 



