PELICAN ISLAND 195 
but, with this exception, Pelican Island doubtless 
forms the nesting ground of all the Pelicans of In- 
dian River. 
The question why the birds should select this 
particular island in preference to the scores of 
others which, to the human eye, appear to be 
equally well suited to their needs, is a difficult one 
to answer. Perhaps no true selection is shown by 
the existing birds, which, as with many other island- 
inhabiting species, may be the survivors of a once 
more widely distributed species, who have been pre- 
served by the protection afforded by their island 
home. Such a colony might owe its beginning to a 
pair of birds who were the true selectors of the site 
of the future colony. The preserving influences of 
the situation were potent from the beginning. The 
first brood reached maturity without mishap, and 
in response to the instinct which prompts a bird to 
return to the region of its birth, they, with succes- 
sive generations, came back and eventually estab- 
lished the prevailing conditions. 
The attachment of these Pelicans for their home 
affords a remarkable illustration of the power of 
habit. Ever since the Indian River region has been 
subject to annual invasion by tourists, among whom 
the man with the gun is conspicuous both by num- 
bers and actions, the inhabitants of Pelican Island 
have been wantonly and, on occasions, brutally per- 
secuted. Scarcely a day passes during February 
and March that one or more boat loads of tourists, 
perhaps from the mainland or a passing yacht, do 
not land on Pelican Island and thoughtlessly cause 
the death of many young birds by driving them 
