PELICAN. 
555 
pouch. He describes them as filthier than geese 
and ducks, and says that nothing but their dirt 
would have prevented his bringing them away. 
Some pelicans are superior in size to a swan ; 
they have been known to weigh twenty-five pounds ; 
yet, notwithstanding their bulk, they rise in the 
air to a surprising height. The bill is fifteen inches 
long, and its singular membranous pouch begins at ' 
the point of the lower mandible, and, widening gra- 
dually, extends ten inches down the front of the 
neck ; a tuft of narrow delicate feathers lies flat on 
the back of the head ; the plumage is white, except 
some of the wing feathers, which are black ; the legs 
are flesh-coloured. 
These birds really deserve the name they have 
acquired of indolent gluttons ; for after they have 
filled their bags with fish, and devoured as many 
of them as they can, they will remain without 
motion, or once changing their posture, till they 
have digested all their food, are again awakened 
from their stupor by the calls of hunger, and once 
more forced to seek their prey. This they do in 
two ways ; either by raising themselves to a great 
height above the surface of the water, and darting 
perpendicularly down upon it, or swimming in 
flocks, and forming a large circle in the great rivers, 
which they gradually contract, beating the water 
with their wings and feet, in order to drive the fish 
into the centre : when they have accomplished 
their purpose, they open their great mouths and fill 
