The Pelican. 
377 
§ VII. Palmipedes, or Web-footed Birds. 
THE PELICAN, (Pelicarms onocrotalus,) 
Is in size about equal to the swan ; the colour of the 
body is white, inclining to pink ; the beak is straight 
and long, with a sharp hook at the end ; the skin of the 
lower mandible is so capable of distension, that it may 
be dilated to contain fish in large quantities. This pouch 
Providence has allotted to the bird, that he may bring 
to his eyrie sufficient food for several days, and save 
liimself the trouble of travelling through the air, and 
watching and diving so often. The legs are black, and 
the four toes palmated. It is a very indolent, inactive, 
and inelegant bird, often sitting whole days and nights 
on rocks or branches of trees, motionless and in a melan- 
choly posture, till the resistless stimulus of hunger spurs 
