202 



or ' bridges ' of the Pelicans on the Khana lake ; and as I remained there some time I had a good 

 opportunity of observing their habits. As this lake contains no fish, the Pelicans used to go to 

 the Volga to fish, frequently to a distance of 100 versts (seventy miles English) from their nest ; 

 and 1 have seen them return with their pouch crammed with fish. Usually the males forage for 

 the females when they are sitting ; but when the young are hatched both parents go off to fish. 

 On approaching the nest the fetid stench from the half-rotten reeds and the quantities of excre- 

 ment is suffocating I have frequently caught these birds by placing a trap in their nests 



or on places where they usually rest. The Pelican has an easy flight, and traverses immense 

 distances, often rising to a great altitude in a spiral flight, now flapping its wings, and now 

 sailing along ; and I have usually observed on approaching the nest of Pelecanus crispus, and on 

 firing a shot, that they immediately rise high in the air, describing wide circles until lost to 

 view. Their flight, though easy, is rather heavy, especially on taking wing; but when on the 

 water they can rise straight up. When flying, they draw in their head, so that their big pouch 

 seems to belong to the neck ; and occasionally they open their beak, and the wind filling the 

 pouch makes them look very comical. They swim with great ease, drawing in the neck and 

 curving the back ; and I have been astonished at their swiftness. Once I pursued a winged bird 

 in a boat rowed by two first-rate rowers for more than an hour ; and it doubled and turned so 

 that it tired my men out ; and had I not shot it again, I should have lost it. The Pelicans never 

 plunge ; but when they see a fish as they swim along, they dip their head and catch it. As is 

 well known, they often fish in company ; and I have often seen this curious sight of the birds 

 combining together for that purpose. They collect in a shallow bay, and arrange themselves in 

 perfect order, the two species often making common cause. The Cormorants, their inseparable 

 companions, do not fail to join in the feast; and the Gulls, Terns, and other fish-eating birds 

 are sure to put in an appearance ; and when all have taken up their posts the fishing commences. 

 The Pelicans, arranged in a semicircle, give the signal, approach the shore, striking the water 

 with their wings and plunging in their heads, whilst their faithful friends the Cormorants, as an 

 advanced guard, plunge again and again, and create terror amongst the fish so as to render them 

 an easy prey ; and as they approach the shore the booty becomes richer. It is a most bizarre 

 scene ; for Pelicans, Cormorants, Terns, and Gulls are mixed pell mell, the last adding to the 

 strangeness of the scene by their wild discordant cries. The Pelicans leave the water with their 

 pouches crammed with fish ; and if it is the breeding-season they go to share their booty with 

 their young, or with the females if the latter are sitting ; but when this is not the case they retire 

 to some sandbank to digest their meal in quietude and indolence. When the peasants see the 

 Pelicans fishing thus, they say ' Babi tianoutt ' (that is, ' the Pelicans are casting their nets '). 

 The note of the Pelican is a deep loud cry. 



" The Pelicans of these parts and on the shores of the Caspian are not shy ; and when out 

 in a boat I frequently approached within fifty or sixty paces of an immense flock seated on the 

 river-bank. Directly a shot is fired they rise in the wildest confusion : and one can kill a dozen 

 at a shot ; for they sit so close together that they cannot all take wing at once ; and if approached 

 by land with a dog, several may be caught. These birds destroy vast numbers of fish ; and a 

 reward should, I think, be given for them, as they are so numerous at the mouth of the Volga as 

 to prevent the fish from entering this river, except where the water is deep When amongst 



