210 BIRD STUDIES WITH A CAMERA 
and the difference 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 about 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 
