210 BIRD STUDIES WITH A CAMERA 



and the diiTerence between the fare of a young Peli- 

 can and that of its parent is in the size of its finny 

 food. I have seen fish twelve inches long in the 

 throat of an old Pelican, while the pouch of a very 

 young bird contained several fishes less than an 

 inch in length. 



It is plain to be seen, therefore, that when an old 

 Pelican goes fishing for his family he must keep 

 constantly in mind the size of his offspring and 

 bring home little fish for little birds, larger fish for 

 larger ones. 



Immediately after the parent returns from its 

 fishing expedition, the young cluster about it and 

 the outcry begins. But the old one takes it very 

 patiently, sitting quite still until ready to open its 

 creel, as it were. Then he takes a stand if possible 

 a little above the young, drops his lower bill with its 

 pouch, when at once the young thrust in their heads 

 to secure their morning's catch. On one occasion I 

 saw three half-grown Pelicans with their heads and 

 necks entirely out of sight in the parent's pouch, 

 and all were prodding aboiit so vigorously that one 

 would have thought it would be damaged past 

 mending. 



Having been fed, one might suppose that for a 

 time peace would reign in the Pelican household ; 

 but, after emptying their parent's pouch, the young 

 immediately begin to squabble over the contents of 

 their own. Here is real cause for war, and they 

 grasp each other by the bill and twist and turn like 

 athletes in a test of strength, seldom, however, with 

 serious results. 



Returning to our sketch of the young Pelican's 



