REPTILES. 187 



Pelicans. This bird is noted for rapidity and endurance 

 in flight. It has been known to be on the wing continu- 

 ously for several days and nights. It sometimes takes a 

 nap on the back of some turtle that it finds. The Frig- 

 ate Pelican, or Man-of-war Bird, is another tropical bird 

 of similar powers of flight. Its extent of wing is enor- 

 mous. " Although, when stripped of its feathers," says 

 Wood, " it is hardly longer than a Pigeon, yet no man 

 can touch at the same time the tips of its extended 

 wings." Under the throat is a lai'ge pouch of a deep red 

 color, which can be distended with air at pleasure. Both 

 this and the Tropic Bird are fond of capturing the Fly- 

 ing-fish. 



Questions. — What is said of the Grallatores ? Wliat are their fam- 

 -ilies? What are the characteristics of the Bustards? What is said 

 of the Great Bastard? What of the Plovers? What of the Oyster- 

 catcher? What of the Lapwing? What is said of the Cranes? 

 What of the Trumpeter ? What of the Herons ? Of the Spoon-bills ? 

 What are the peculiarities and habits of the Kooks ? What singular 

 birds are mentioned as belonging to this family? What is said of the 

 Snipes ? What of the Cm-lews ? What of the Avocet ? AVhat of 

 the Rail family ? What of the Jacanas ? What are the characteris- 

 tics of the Natatores ? What are their families ? What is said of the 

 Ducks and Geese ? What of the two kinds of Ducks ? What of the 

 Swans? What of the Flamingo? What of the family of Divers? 

 What of the Grebes? Of the Auks? Of the Penguins? Of the 

 Gulls? Of the Stormy Petrel ? Of the Albatross ? Of the Terns? 

 Of the Pelicans ? Of the Cormorant ? Of the Tropic Bird ? Of the 

 Frigate Pelican ? 



CHAPTER XVni. 



REPTILES. 



302. The cold-blooded division of the Vertebrates com- 

 prises the Reptiles and the Fishes. In the warm-blood- 

 ed division the blood of each animal has a certain natural 

 degree of heat, which is maintained quite uniform under 



