400 
Synopsis of the Birds 
membrane broad, full, entire : nails falculate ; the middle one 
with its edge entire or pectinated. Wings moderate, ample; 
second primary longest; secondaries reaching to the prima- 
ries. Tail rounded, of twenty feathers. 
Female similar to the male. Young differing greatly from 
the adult for a long period. Moult annually. Plumage short, 
very thick and close. Colors white or cinereous. Size ex- 
ceedingly large ; largest of the Family. 
Live near w ater, either fresh or salt. Fly for long periods, 
reaching the highest regions of the atmosphere. Swim and 
dive admirably. Alight on the branches of trees, grasping 
firmly. Feed on fishes, which they catch with great adroit- 
ness, and keep in their gular pouch, emptying it by degrees 
as the digestion proceeds. Exceedingly voracious : consu- 
ming at a single meal more than six men. Rise sometimes 
to a great height, sometimes skimming the surface of the 
water, or balancing at a moderate elevation, and pouncing 
headlong with a loud noise and great agitation of the water : 
fishing in the morning and evening until their large bag is 
quite full, then retiring to a large rock or tree, to eat and di- 
gest at ease : when wishing to disgorge a fish, press their bag 
against their breast, hence fabulously said to feed their young 
by tearing their own body. Often uniting in great numbers 
to chase more successfully, encircling and beating a large 
piece of water, employing different stratagems to frighten the 
fish into a restricted space, where they seize them. Breed 
on rocks near water, nest flat on the ground, deep, lined with 
soft weeds : eggs from two to four. Affectionate parents. 
Sight keen, discerning their prey from a great elevation. 
Voice hoarse, powerful. 
Spread all over the warm and temperate regions of the 
globe, even one of the species. Formed of five species. 
351 . Pelecanus onocrotalus, L. Middle nail entire; prima- 
ries black ; first much longer than the fifth. 
Adult white tinged with rose color ; a slender crest. 
