208 BIRD STUDIES WITH A CAMERA 
strong characteristics of the immature Pelican—a 
pugnacious disposition. Almost before his eyes are 
open he bites at his nest mates for apparently no 
other reason than that they come within reach of 
107. Young Pelican in tree nest, showing first appearance of white down. 
his bill. Soon his eyes open and within a few days 
a wonderful change begins to take place in his 
appearance.” Little bunches of white down sprout 
all over his body, and, growing rapidly, transform 
the ugly, purple-black nestling into a snowy creature 
clad in softest down. 
At the same time he has been growing much 
stronger; he is able to sit up,’ his fighting abilities 
have greatly increased, and his voice, after passing 
through a rasping k-r-r-r-ing stage, has become a 
high, piercing cry very closely resembling the scream 
of a child in extreme pain. Young Pelicans utter- 
ing this call chiefly made up the chorus one could 
