208 



BUM) STUDIES WITH A CAMERA 



strong characteristics of the immature Pelican — a 

 pugnacious disposition. Almost before his eyes are 

 open he bites at his uest mates for apparently no 

 other reason than that they come within reach of 



107. YuLiii)^' JVliean in tree liost, .sliowin^^ lii'st appearuiiet; uf wliitu dnwn. 



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 sproi^t 

 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 

 tlirough a I'asjdng k-r-r-r-inrj stage, has become a 

 high, ])iercing cry very closely resembling the scream 

 of a child m extreme pain. Young Pelicans utter- 

 ing tills call chiefly made up the chorus one could 



