PELICAN ISLAND 



211 



growth : shortly after the acquisition of the white 

 down, the wing feathers begin to grow. As yet 

 the sprouting feathers are useless, but with them 

 come strength and courage to leave the nest and to 

 clamber about in search of the foes who perhaps 

 have been mocking him for days, from their nest on 



109. Young Pelican, wing quills appearing. 



an adjoining limb. In spite of his broadly webbed 

 toes, he manages to climb about in the bushes with 

 more or less ease ;*"' but in this climbing he is 

 greatly aided by his bill. Indeed, if it were not 

 for the safety hook made by the bill, head, and 

 neck, many a young Pelican would have a prema- 



