J. Cassidy■—The Birds of Canada



257



food has been sighted, probably some small and sluggish fish of the

weedy shallows. The victim is scooped up and either swallowed at

once or stowed away in the roomy pouch to be fed later to the fledglings

at home. Pelicans work hard for their living, frequently travelling

many miles in their food-hunts. It may certainly be claimed that they

offer one of the finest and most attractive features of the prairies.

Their nests are made in large communities, generally on islands in

the larger lakes. Thus they ensure comparative freedom from their

natural enemies. Unfortunately this immunity from attack by foxes,

coyotes, etc., does not secure them from attacks by men who, when

it suited them, have not hesitated to fatten their pigs on the eggs and

young of the Pelican.


The home of the Brown Pelican is the United States rather than

Canada. This bird is smaller than the White Pelican. It makes occasional

visits to Nova Scotia and Southern British Columbia. Its habits are

similar to those of the White Pelican. Its throat-pouch is dark brown

in colour.


One of the most beautiful and useful of the small birds of Canada

is the “ Cardinal ” or “ Bed-Bird


For careful and commonsense description of this bird the palm

should be awarded to Mr. A. P. Taverner. His clear and concise

description runs thus : “ The male is bright cardinal-red with a black

splash about the base of the bill and throat. Both sexes have a decided

crest as prominent as that of the Blue Jay. The female is warm buff

in colour, almost white below and olive-buff on the back, the wings,

tail, and crest approaching the rosy colour of the male. The black face

and throat of the male is faintly indicated.


The “ Cardinal ” nests in bushes ; the nest is constructed of twigs

and rootlets and strips of bark. It is made snug by a lining of grasses

and shredded roots.


The bird is found in the United States and Canada, but wherever

it is found its permanency of residence may be assumed.


A second asset besides that of its gorgeous colouring is its brilliant

whistling, delighting all who are lucky enough to hear it. It is of great

value economically, as w T ell as for its beauty and its exquisite notes,

its food consisting of “ locusts, cicadas, potato-bugs, rose-chafers,



