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THE PELICAN. 
THE PELICAN. ( Pelecanus onocrotalus.') 
The White or Great Pelican, or Pelecan, resembles the 
swan in shape and colour, but exceeds it in size. The 
singularity, however, which distinguishes it from all other 
birds, is in the bill and the great pouch underneath, which 
merit a particular description. 
The bill of this bird is about sixteen inches long, from 
the point to the opening of the mouth, which is a good way 
behind the eyes. It is very thick at the base, where it is 
of a greenish tint, but tapers off towards the end, which 
curves downward, and is of a reddish blue. At the lower 
edge of the under chap hangs a pouch, capable of containing 
fifteen quarts of water, and reaching the whole length of 
the bill to the neck : this bag is covered with a very soft 
and smooth down, and, when empty, is scarcely perceptible ; 
as the bird has the power of wrinkling it up into the lower 
jaw. This bird was formerly known in Europe, par- 
ticularly in Eussia ; but at present it is only found in Africa 
and America. 
The Pelican has strong wings, furnished with thick 
plumage of an ash-colour, as are the rest of the feathers 
over the whole body. The large legs are lead-coloured, and 
the claws gray. The number of toes is four, and these are all 
webbed together. The eyes are very small, when compared 
with the size of the head, and there is something in the 
countenance very sad and melancholy. 
