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- 
