THE PELICAN.
A CURIOUS THING. There is n very fine new pelican at, the London Zoo. Though it is called a European white pelican, its lovely plumage is faintly tinged with rose-pink. It is a hugo bird, nearly sft. in entire length, with a hea\y, clumsy body, short legs, and an enormous beak a foot and a half lon ?" The most curious thing about this queer bird is the fact that its huge beak has a sort of bag, or pouch, underneath, which it uses as a net in which to scoop np the fish upon which it feeds. When it !ias swallowed enough fish at the moment, it keeps the remainder in its pouch, which it thus uses as a private pantry. When Mrs. Pelican has a chick to feed, she presses her well-filled pantry-pouch against her breast and raises her beaklid, so that her queer, woollv-looking baby can help itself to the fishy food within. Although pelicans have webbed feet and are su::h huge, clumsy birds, they can perch quite well on trees, and they are also splnndid fliers.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 6 (Supplement)
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181THE PELICAN. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 6 (Supplement)
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