75 
together with the Trumpeter Swan and the Whooping Crane — which re- 
semble them in size and nesting range — would shortly be extinct. Fortu- 
nately, a number of bird reserves have been established about many of 
the prairie lakes by Provincial and Federal legislation. It is hoped and 
expected that some or all of these species may survive indefinitely, and 
continue to add their attractions to the prairie landscape. 
Economic Status. Probably almost entirely fish-eaters. All stomachs 
examined by the writer have contained the coarser and more sluggish, 
easily-caught fish of the weedy shallows, usually those of smaller 
size. Undoubtedly, too many Pelicans on the shallow lakes would injure 
the fishing, but the greater danger today is to the Pelicans rather than to 
the fish. They are conspicuous birds, their numbers are likely to be over 
rather than under estimated, inducing an uneasiness as to their effect 
that a more careful comparison with the area covered would quiet. 
126. California Brown Pelican. Pelecanus calif omicus. L, 53 or more. Sooty 
brown below; grey, narrowly streaked with brown, above. Face, mane-like crest, and nar- 
row line along gular pouch, white, in striking contrast with very dark brown hindneck. 
Gular pouch dark in colour. 
Distinctions. Above description obvious. Differing from the Eastern Brown Pelican 
only in slightly larger size and small details. 
Field Marks. Any dark-coloured Pelican on west coast would be this species. 
Nesting. On the ground, in large communities, on islands, sometimes on steeply 
sloping shores. 
Distribution. Pacific coast, from Washington south to Ecuador, breeding from Calif- 
ornia southward. We have a few records of occurrence in southern British Columbia, 
near the mouth of Fraser river. 
Only an accidental visitor near the south end of Vancouver island, 
but so well marked that it should be easily recognized on sight. A most 
spectacular feature of this species is that, unlike the White Pelican, it 
regularly dives for food from the wing. 
Order — Anseres. Lamellirostral Swimmers. Sieve-billed 
Swimmers 
General Description. Swimming birds with four toes but only two webs, having bills 
with a hooked or flat nail at the tip and furnished with tooth-like projections or thin laminae 
on the sides (Figures 7-10, and 112-144), through which they strain the water from their 
food. 
Distinctions. As above. 
Field Marks. The outstretched neck, obvious tail, and rapid wing beats of the Ducks, 
or the long powerful wing strokes of the Geese, are familiar to most of us. In the water 
some species bear superficial resemblance to the Divers, but the straight, narrow bills of 
the latter, the obvious tails of the Ducks, the general outline and carriage, and the readiness 
to fly instead of dive when disturbed, should make differentiation easy. 
Nesting. Usually on the ground, sometimes in hollow trees, and only rarely in deserted 
nests of Hawks or other large birds, but seldom far from water. The young are able to rim 
about and take to water as soon as hatched^ but how they are brought to the ground from a 
tree nest 20 or 30 or even 100 feet in the air is a subject upon which opinion is divided. 
Probably methods differ according to species and conditions. 
Distribution. The Anseres are of world-wide distribution. In America the majority 
of the species breed north of our southern boundary. They may, therefore, be regarded 
as birds of northern distribution. In winter, the hardier species are likely to remain with 
us as long as open water continues and large numbers are to be found throughout the season 
on the waters of the west coast. 
The order Anseres contains but one family — Anaiidae t composed of the 
Mergansers, Ducks, Geese, and Swans. It comprises, therefore, the great 
bulk of the larger wild fowl pursued by sportsmen. One of the greatest 
