This bird is much larger than a swan, and nearly of the 
same shape and colour, and inhabits Africa, Asia, and 
South America. Its neck is long, and the toes are ail 
connected by webs. The chief peculiarity, however, o i 
the Pelican lies in the enormous bill, and the extraordi- 
nary pouch underneath. The former is fifteen inches long, 
from the point to the opening of the mouth, which is 
placed at some distance behind the eyes. From the low- 
er edges of the under chap is suspended a large bag, 
reaching its whole length, and said to be capable of con- 
taining fifteen quarts of water. This appendage the bird 
is capable of contracting or distending at pleasure. When 
empty it is scarcely perceptible ; but, when the Pelican 
has been successful in fishing, it becomes dilated to an in- 
credible extent : for the first thing which the bird wishes 
to effect in fishing, is to replenish its bag, and then to re- 
tire and feed at leisure. Tertre affirms, that it is cap- 
able of concealing as many fish, as would satisfy six 
hungry men. 
The Pelican builds in desert places, and often at a 
distance from any water ; but then it brings water to its 
young in its bag. More frequently it builds in marshy 
and uncultivated places, and in the islands and lakes ; 
making its nest, which is deep, and a foot and a half in 
diameter, of carices, and lining ill with grasses of a soft- 
er texture : it lays two or more white eggs, which it 
sometimes, when persecuted, hides in the water. It is 
afraid of man ; it walks slowly, flies in flocks, and lives 
in society with other birds. 
W onderful as the conformation of the Pelican is, no 
doubt, it falls very short of the fables that have been 
invented concerning it. Struck with its extraordinary 
figure, mankind seem to have been willing to supply it 
with no less extraordinary qualities and appetites ; and 
having found that it possessed a large reservoir, they 
were inclined to convert it to the most tender and pa- 
