BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 
197 
the same manner as in Florida. On the 20th of February, the 
young were hatched in some of the nests, and incubation was 
advanced in all of them. I did not meet with the bird anywhere 
else. The development of the air-cells is greater in this bird than 
in any other that I am acquainted with. On touching it while 
alive, a distinct crepitus is felt and heard, and as if it were emphy- 
sematous ; all the bones, with the exception of the phalanges of the 
toes, contain air. It possesses much more intelligence than I gave 
it credit for. A tame one, belonging to the Colonel of Engineer^ at 
Nassau, was in the habit of going every morning to the fish market. 
Fish are always sold alive, and in order that the purchaser may 
select them, are taken out of the water and spread before him; this 
was the moment for the Pelican, and if he had been as active as he 
was voracious, he would have fared well; but unfortunately for him, 
the fishermen were generally too quick, and, seizing him by his long 
beak, would throw him into the water, where he would remain for 
some time, looking with great solemnity at his persecutors, and then 
return to try his luck again. As I was passing by his owner’s house 
one day, he commenced tugging at my trousers with his bill ; at first 
I did not understand what he wanted, but noticing that the gate was 
shut, thought it possible that he might wish it opened ; this I accord- 
ingly did, and he walked in at once, without stopping to thank me. 
This bird was in immature plumage, probably not more than a 
year old.” 
