BRITISH BIRDS. 
379 
OF THE PELICAN. 
The bill of this genus is long and ftrait ; the end 
either hooked or floping ; the noftrils placed in a 
furrow that runs along the fides of the bill, and in 
moft pf the fpecies not diftinguifliable. The face 
generally deftitute of feathers, being covered only 
with a bare Ikin : gullet naked, and capable of great 
diflention : body long, heavy, and flat : legs placed 
far backward : toes four in number, and all webbed 
together. 
Latham, following the example of Linn^us, in- 
cludes the Pelican, Man of War bird, Corvorant, 
Shag, Gannet, and Booby, in this genus, of which 
he enumerates thirty diftinQ: fpecies and two varie- 
^ ties; four only of this number, and one variety,' 
are.Britifli Birds. In confining the prefent ac- 
count to thefe, it is proper to remark that they are 
not the inhabitants of .this country only, but are 
widely difperfed over the globe, being met with in 
almoft every climate which navigators have vifited, 
whether temperate, hot, or cold. The Gannet only 
is migratory ; large flocks of this fpecies arrive in 
the fpring of the year, and difperfe themfelves in 
colonies over the rocky promontories of Scotland 
and its ifles, in various parts of which thpy breed 
and rear their young, and as foon as that office is 
performed, they retire in the autumn to their un- 
3 B 2 
