THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
represents this species, to the White Pelican, Gen. Synops., Vol. III., p. 575, 
as a variety. Later, he reconsidered the matter, and in the General History 
of Birds, Vol. X., p. 402, 1824, described it as a new species, thus : 
New Holland Pelican. Length five feet, extent of wings seven. Bill, 
and round the eye, yellow ; plumage in general white ; the beginning of the 
back, the quills, and tail, black ; inner half of the lesser wing-coverts white ; 
legs pale blue ; webs dusky ; the quills reach to above the middle of the tail. 
Inhabits New Holland, known by the name of Karrang-aba.” 
To this description, two years later, Stephens gave the name Pelecanus 
australis, but, simultaneously with Latham’s description, Temminck had 
figured and named a specimen Pelecanus conspicillatus. Though many 
notes are available regarding this bird, it cannot yet be said that its life- 
history is well known. Its large size attracts attention, but little study 
appears as yet to have been given to its habits. 
Mr. A. H. Mattingley has written me : “ Young are born blind, the skin 
of a fleshy-pink, somewhat glazed and transparent looking, and quite naked. 
The young are delicate and easily succumb if left any length of time by their 
parents on a cold day. In a large rookery Pelicans’ eggs are scattered about, 
a great number being found away from the nests, some even being laid or 
have been carried to the water’s edge. A pungent odour pervades the rookery. 
The young fight vigorously even when very small and unable to walk. They 
peck at an intruder if approached closely, meanwhile uttering a raucous 
sound of anger. The old birds are very shy and wary and usually clear out 
when anyone approaches the rookery. There is always a sentinel on guard, 
and although one might be a mile away in a boat the sentinel will usually fly 
over to inspect the intruders and then report to the main body of pelicans.” 
Capt. S. A. White notes : “ This grand and timid bird was met with 
on many parts of the Lake (Alexandrina, South Australia), and often in the 
early mornings were seen drifting down the passage all in line like battleships, 
presenting a glorious sight. These birds consume great quantities of an 
unedible fish called Bony Bream.” 
Mr. J. W. Mellor has communicated the following : “ The Pelican, I am 
glad to say, has not been quite driven away by the head hunters’ raids of last 
year, and we hope to preserve its breeding-place at any rate. The three 
small islets in the Coorong, between Woods’ Wells and Salt Creek, are the 
only places now in South Australia where these once plentiful birds breed. 
These islands with others have now been placed by the Commissioner of 
Crown Lands under the care and protection of the South Australian 
Ornithological Association, and it was in the interests of these birds that I 
took this trip of inspection and found them still breeding on Pelican Island, 
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