. The naturalist's library; containing scientific and popular descriptions of man, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects; . d, terminated by a nail, or very strong hook; the lower formed by two longbranches, which are depressed, flexible, and united at the tip; from these branches is sus-pended a naked skin, in form ol a pouch ; face and throat naked; nostrils basal, in theform of a narrow longitudinal slit; legs short and stout; all the four toes connected b7a web. s Pelicanus onocrotalus, Lin. 85 57 674 AVES—PELICAN. IB Europe, particularly in Russia; but it seems to have deserted
. The naturalist's library; containing scientific and popular descriptions of man, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects; . d, terminated by a nail, or very strong hook; the lower formed by two longbranches, which are depressed, flexible, and united at the tip; from these branches is sus-pended a naked skin, in form ol a pouch ; face and throat naked; nostrils basal, in theform of a narrow longitudinal slit; legs short and stout; all the four toes connected b7a web. s Pelicanus onocrotalus, Lin. 85 57 674 AVES—PELICAN. IB Europe, particularly in Russia; but it seems to have deserted thcst-coasts. In the island of Manilla, the pelicans are of a rose color, and in Americathey are brown. They are all torpid and inactive to the last degree, so thatnothing can exceed their indolence but their gluttony. It is only from thestimulations of hunger that they are excited to labor; for otherwise theywould continue always in fixed repose. When they have raised themselvesabout thirty or forty feet above the surface of the sea, they turn their head,with one eye downwards, and continue to fly in that posture. As soon as. they perceive a fish sufficiently near the surface, they dart down upon itwith the swiftness of an arrow, seize it with unerring certainty, and storeit up in their pouch. They then rise again, though not without great labor,and continue hovering and fishing, with their head on one side, as before. This work they continue, with great effort and industry, till their bag isfull; and then they fly to land, to devour and digest, at leisure, the fruits oftheir industry. This, however, it would appear, they are not long perform-ing; for, towards night, they have another hungry call; and they again,reluctantly, go to labor. Sometimes, they are said to assemble in large numbers, to act in concert,and to manoeuvre with great skill, for the purpose of securing an abundantprey. This they accomplish by forming a circular line, and gradually nar- AVES—CORMORANT. 67
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, bookidnaturalistsl, bookyear1851
