368 
SWIMJMERS. 
BROWN PELICAN. 
Pelecanus fuscus. 
Char. Upper parts ashy gray j head white ; neck rich chestnut ; wing- 
coveits and rump brown; under parts brownish gray; bill brownish ; sac 
dusky ; legs black. Length about 4 feet. In winter the head and neck 
are white. 
Nest. On an island along the coast, usually on the ground, sometimes 
m a tiee; made of twigs and sedges, and lined with grass 
^SSS. 2-5 (usually 3) ; white, with a chalk-like surface ; 3.00 X 1.95. 
Ihe Brown Pelican inhabits exclusively the sea-coast of the 
warmer parts of America, being abundant in the West Indies, 
particularly in Jamaica, Barbadoes, etc. These birds are like- 
wise common in the Southern States, abounding in the bay of 
Charleston, where they are seen actively engaged in pursuit of 
their prey. They likewise breed and inhabit in the peninsula 
of East Florida, and occasionally wander up the Mississippi as 
far as the river Missouri. They are, like the preceding species, 
very gluttonous and voracious. After gorging themselves, they 
retire to the rocks or islets, and during the process of digest- 
ing their enormous meal remain dozing and inactive for hours 
together, with the bill resting on the breast, at which times, 
in South America, it is no uncommon thing for the natives to 
steal upon them unawares and seize them by the neck, with- 
out their making any defence or resistance. Yet, like some 
other gregarious birds, they are said to show a great affection 
for the wounded of their own .species, to which they will carry 
a supply of food. Father Raymond relates that he had seen 
one of these Belicans so well tamed and taught among the 
aborigines that it would go off in the morning, and return 
before night to its master with its pouch distended with fish, 
a great part of which the savages made it disgorge, leaving it 
in possession of the remainder as a reward for its service. 
The Brown Pelican is common on the coast of the Gulf States, 
and on the Atlantic to North Carolina. A few examples have 
wandered as far north as the shores of Massachusetts. 
