400 PELICAN. 



giving a greater chance of securing its prey ; after having filled the 

 pouch with as great a number as it can carry, it flies off" to some 

 convenient point of a rock, to swallow them at leisure ; when several 

 are together, they fish in a different manner, especially when in 

 company with the Corvorants : these two spread into a large circle, 

 at some distance from the land; the Pelicans flap with their extensive 

 wings above, on the surface, while the Corvorants dive beneath ; 

 hence the fish at last are driven into a small compass, when their 

 pursuers find no difficulty of Ailing their bellies. In this they 

 are attended by the Black-cap, and sometimes other Gulls, who come 

 in for their share. The Pelican is also observed to make a nest in 

 the deserts,* very far from water; for what reason Providence alone 

 can suggest, as the bird's only supply of sustenance must arise from 

 that element ; hence it must bring water to the young, by filling the 

 pouch with it.| It is said that Camels, and other beasts, take the 

 advantage of quenching their thirst, by resorting to their nests, and 

 as if grateful for the supply, never do the least injury to the young. J 

 This bird is said to be used sometimes for domestic fishing, in the 

 same manner as the Corvorant, by the Chinese. § We do not find the 

 flesh much commended for food, though better tasted than that of 

 the Booby, or Man of War Bird.|| The Great White Pelican in seen 

 in vast abundance in India, every where in Hindustan, particularly 

 on the Ganges ; as is also the Roseate sort. It is said, that when 

 young the plumage is chiefly brown ; as it advances the head, neck, 

 and under parts, are partially, or wholly white; after this the brown 

 on the upper parts is mixed with patches of white, and finally wholly 



* The ancients noted this — " I am like a Pelican in the Wilderness." — Psalm cii. v. 6. 

 f Hence called by the Persians, Kik, Tacab, or Water Carrier. 



* Osbeck. Voy. The Pelican has been remarked for peculiar tenderness to its young, 

 in feeding them with the blood from the breast ; but this has arisen from seeing one of these 

 empty the contents of the red water bag, which it does by pressing it on the breast, and a 

 person ignorant of the matter might easily be mistaken. § Hist, des Ois. 



§ Dampier's Voy. Part II. p. 71. Forbidden to be eaten by the Jews, as well as the 

 Corvorant. — Levitic. xi. v. 17, 18. 



