BIRDS — PELECAKIDAE — PELECANUS ERYIHKOEHYNCHUS 



869 



^dult maie.— The general plumage is pure white ; in the breeding season, with a roseate tinge ; the crest and elongated 

 feathers on the breast pale yellow ; the alula, primary coverts and primaries black, the shafts of the latter white for the greater 

 part of their length, being brownish black at the end ; the outer secondaries black, the inner more or less white, the shafts of 

 all white underneath. Bill yellow, with the edges and unguis reddish ; upper mandible high at the base, but becoming gradu- 

 ally flattened to the end ; on the ridge, just beyond the middle of the bill, is a thin elevated bony process about one inch high, 

 and extending towards the end for three or four inches ; lower mandible broad at the base, with the cruta separated nearly to the 

 point ; underneath the lower mandible, beginning at the .junction of the cruta, and extending down the neck for about eight 

 inches, is a large membranous sac or pouch, capable of great expansion ; it is of the same color as the bill ; bare space around 

 the eye bright yellow ; iris white ; legs and feet yellow ; claws yellowish brown. 



The female differs in not having the bony projection on the upper mandible. 



Total length, 70 inches ; wing, 24.50 ; bill, 13.50 ; tarsi, 4.75 ; tail, 7. 



Hab. — Throughout the United States, rare on the coasts of the Middle and Northern States. ur countries up to the 61st 

 parallel. Specimens are in the collection from various sections, a number from the Pacific coast. There is no observable differ- 

 ence between them and eastern specimens. 



This species breeds in the fur countries, generally selecting inaccessible places in the neigh- 

 borhood of waterfalls. They also inhabit throughout the Eocky mountains and in California. 

 In winter they are very abundant on our southern coast from Texas to Florida. 



They remain inactive on sand bars most of the day, procuring their food about sunrise and 

 again just before sunset. They swim buoyantly, and while feeding are very active in their 

 movements ; on such occasions they do not dive, but secure their food by thrusting the head 

 under water, but not keeping it below the surface for any length of time. Mr. Audubon states 

 that their usual food consists of fish of rather a small size. 



In the breeding season the color of the bill, bare space around the eye, the pouch, the legs 

 and feet are much heightened in color, becoming reddish orange. 



The peculiar bony process on the ridge of the upper mandible appears to be used for the pur- 

 pose of defence when combatting with their rivals ; in some old individuals it is much abraded 

 and worn, apparently caused by many and severe contests. 



Both Gray and Bonaparte adopt Latham's name of " trachyrhynchus" for this species, cer- 

 tainly a very appropriate one; but Gmelin having previously called it " erythrorhynchus," 

 according to the Law of priority, his name should take precedence. 



List of specimens. 



Locality. 



When collected. 



Whence obtained. 



Orig. 

 No. 



Collected by — 



Stretch 

 of wings. 



Wing. 



Texas 



Eio Grande, Tex .. 



Gulf of Mexico 



Quasquiton, lo 



Eastern U. S 



San Diego, Cal 



Sao Francisco, Cal. 



Pacific coast 



Bodega, Cal 



Sacramento valley. 



1853 

 1853 



Maj. Emory 

 do 



A. Schott , 

 , do.., 



Jan. 10, 1856 

 Jan., 1855 



Cab.of G. N. Lawrence 

 Dr. E. C. Bidwell . 



S. F. Baird 



Lt. Trowbridge 



Dr. Suckley 



Lt. Trowbridge 



do 



Lt. Williamson 



1022 



T. T. Bruzon. 



J. J. Audubon. 

 A Cassidy 



T. A. Szabo 



do 



Dr. Heermann. 



70.00 



22.00 



23.00 



24.50 

 25.50 



23.00 

 24.50 



