54 WATER BIRDS 



Adults in If inter : Similar to above, but lacking the crest and the horny 

 protuberance on bill. Poach, bill, and feet lenjon-yellow. 



Young: Plumage white, merging to brownish gray on top of head; 

 bill, pouch, and fcefpale lemon. 



Geographical Distribution : Temperate North America, south in winter 

 to Mexico ; common on the coast of California. 



Breeding Range : Southeastern Oregon, Red River valley in British Co- 

 lumbia; lakes of the interior west of Mississippi River, and from Utah 

 northward. 



Breeding Seaso^i: Approximately, April 15 to August. 



Nest: A pile of sand heaped up about 8 inches high and 14 inches 

 in diameter, sometimes lined with sticks and slightly hollowed out 

 on top. Usually on dry sandy beach of an island. 



Eggs: 2, rarely 4 ; chalky white. Size 3.45 X 2.30. 



The American White Pelican has become a com- 

 paratively rare bird east of the Mississippi River, but 

 is abundant throughout the coast of Southern and Cen- 

 tral California and on Santa Barbara Island. Mr. 

 Grinnell reports it breeding at Eagle Lake. It feeds 

 while on or in the vrater, scooping the fish in its bill 

 when swimming or wading, seldom diving for them 

 from the air, and always tossing the catch until it can 

 be swallowed head first. Crustacea are rarely if ever 

 eaten by this species, and they will travel many miles 

 for fish rather than eat frogs. 



"Often a flock will band together and, by beating 

 their wings, drive a school of fishes into the shallows, 

 where they gather up large numbers at every scoop of 

 their big bag. The water taken is allowed to drain out 

 of the corners, and the fish are swallowed. If the bird 

 is fishing to feed her young, she still does the same, 

 and afterwards disgorges the fish; for she could not 

 fly if her pouch were filled with fishes." ^ 



1 Mrs. Eckstrom, in "The Bird Book." 



