150 
THE PELICAN. 
a post, and the parent bird has been observed for several 
days to come and feed them; remaining with them the 
greatest part of the day, and spending the night on the 
branch of a tree that hung over them. By these means 
they became so familiar that they suffered themselves to be 
handled ; and they very readily accepted whatever fish was 
given to them. These they always put first into their pouch, 
and then swallowed them at leisure. 
Notwithstanding their natural indolence and stupidity, 
these birds appear to be susceptible of instruction in a domestic 
state. Some of them have been known to go off at the word 
of command, and return to their owners with their pouches 
distended with plunder. 
It is said that, when the Pelican and the cormorant fish 
in company, they adopt a singular mode of catching their 
prey. They form a large circle, at some distance from the 
land, and, while the Pelicans flap their wings above, the 
cormorants dive beneath. The fish are thus driven before 
the birds, who lessen the circle as they approach the land, 
and thus enclose their finny spoil within a narrow space, so 
as to have no difficulty in seizing on a sufficient number. 
