COMMON PELICAN. Ill 



cient world, especially between the tropics and the 

 lower temperate climates : it is common in the eastern 

 countries of Europe, on the banks of the rivers and 

 lakes of Hungary and Russia, and extremely so on the 

 Danube ; but it seldom visits the sea-coasts, except 

 the inland ones of the Caspian and Euxine Seas. 

 Also found at the Cape of Good Hope. 



The female constructs a nest of reedy grass, among 

 moss or turfs ; it is a foot and a half in diameter, 

 much hollowed, and filled with soft grass : she lays 

 two or more white eggs, similar to those of the Swan. 

 It is said that if any person attempts to disturb them 

 while the female is sitting, she will take the eggs out 

 of the nest with her beak, and drop them into the 

 water, returning them to their place as soon as quiet 

 is restored. The principal food of these birds consists 

 of fish, which they prefer in a living state, and catch 

 with great dexterity. 



The bag in the lower mandible of the beak of this 

 bird is one of the most remarkable appendages that 

 is found in the structure of any animal. Though it 

 wrinkles up nearly into the hollow of the chap, and 

 the sides, to which it is attached, are not (in a 

 quiescent state) above an inch asunder, it may be 

 extended to an amazing capacity ; and when the bird 

 has fished with success, its size is almost incredible : 

 it will contain a man's head with the greatest ease. 

 In fishing the Pelican fills this bag, and does not 

 immediately swallow his prey ; but, when this is full, 

 he returns to the shore to devour at leisure the fruits 

 of his industry. He is not long in digesting his food ; 

 for he has generally to fish more than once in the 



