THE BROW PELICAN. 
197 
wings droop by tbeir sides, and they would be utterly unable to walk. The 
Vultures at this period often fall upon them and devour them in the absence 
of their parents. The Indians also carry them off in considerable numbers ; 
and farther eastward, on the Halifax river, for instance, the Negroes kill 
all they can find, to make gumbo soup of them during winter. The Crows, 
less powerful, but quite as cunning, suck the eggs ; and many a young one 
which has accidentally fallen from the nest, is sure to be picked up by some 
quadruped, or devoured by the Shark or Balacuda. When extensive 
depredations have thus been made, the birds abandon their breeding places, 
and do not return to them. The Pelicans in fact are, year after year, 
retiring from the vicinity of man, and although they afford but very 
unsavoury food at any period of their lives, will yet be hunted beyond the 
range of civilization, just as our best of all game, the Wild Turkey, is now, 
until to meet with them the student of nature will have to sail round 
Terra del Puego, while he may be obliged to travel to the Rocky Moun- 
tains before he can find the other bird. Should you approach a settlement of 
the Pelicans and fire a few shots at them, they all abandon the place, and 
leave their eggs or young entirely at your disposal. 
At all seasons, the Negroes of the plantations on the eastern coast of the 
Ploridas lie in wait for the Pelicans. There, observe that fellow, who, with 
rusty musket, containing a tremendous charge of heavy shot, is concealed 
among the palmettos, on the brink of a kind of embankment formed by the 
shelly sand. Now comes a flock of Pelicans, forcing their way against the 
breeze, unaware of the danger into which they rush, for there, a few yards 
apart, several Negroes crouch in readiness to fire ; and let me tell you, good 
shots they are. Now a blast forces the birds along the shore ; off goes the 
first gun, and down comes a Pelican ; shot succeeds shot : and now the 
Negroes run up to gather the spoil. They skin the birds like so many 
racoons,' cut off the head, wings, and feet ; and should you come this way 
next year, you may find these remains bleached in the sun. Towards 
night, the sable hunters carry off their booty, marching along in Indian 
file, and filling the' air with their extemporaneous songs. At home they 
perhaps salt, or perhaps smoke them ; but in whatever way the Pelicans 
are prepared, they are esteemed good food by the sons of Africa. 
The Brown Pelican is a strong and tough bird, although not so weighty 
as the white species. Its flesh is, in my opinion, always impure. It seems 
never satisfied with food, and it mutes so profusely, that not a spot of 
verdure can be seen on the originally glossy and deep-colored mangroves 
on which it nestles ; and I must say that, much as I admire it in some 
respects, I should be sorry to keep it near me as a pet. 
During winter, when the mullet, a favourite fish with the Brown Pelican 
