256



J. Cassidy—The Birds of Canada



propensity the Loons seldom resort to waters that are attractive to

other birds. This generally ensures them the solitude they prefer.


It is interesting to notice the smallness of the gullet of the Loon

in proportion to the size of the bird. This natural distinction ensures

that only small fish are taken. The few Loons on small lakes and the

small number of fish in such lakes together with the large number of

fish in large lakes makes the fishing done by the Loon quite unimportant

economically, thus removing any justification for the destruction of

Loons.


Leaving any further consideration of the Loon family we now

consider, briefly, the largest of Canadian birds. This bird is found in

the Sub-Order Pelicani ; Family Pelicanoidea. The two species we

have in mind are the White Pelican and the Brown Pelican.


The White Pelican is a huge bird, about 5 ft. 4 hi. long. Its body

is pure white ; its wings black ; its bill is flattened and frequently

measures over 1 foot. Its most distinguishing feature is a great yellow

throat-pouch, capable of holding several quarts. Mr. Taverner’s

remarkable description deserves quotation word by word. He writes :

“ The ponderously serious flight of these great white birds, with their

slow beat, beat, beat and then a long dignified sail, is a common sight

near the larger prairie waters as they wing back and forth between

the lakes and feeding grounds. They fly in long evenly-spaced lines,

abreast, in tandem, or in V’s. Pelicans are communists, individualism

is unknown among them. The way one faces they all face ; as one

poses they all pose. Standing on a bare sand-bar, they line up in

military formation and digest their dinners together. Plying they

assume their appointed positions, and taking the beat from their

leader keep time with him, flapping and sailing together. No more

beautiful sight may be seen on the prairies than a long line of the

great white birds, black pinioned, with golden pouches tucked under

their chins, all sparkling in the sunlight in brilliant contrast with the

deep blue water or azure sky.”


It is absorbingly interesting to watch the Pelicans feeding as, with

head held high, the long bill turned down against the breast, they paddle

about in the water below.


Suddenly the bill is opened and plunged down and forward, the



