The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-10-30
GutlinE tho Polfcan.

The Willingness or man to reap the
fruits or tile lab0rs of others should dis
pose him TO regard with interest il not
with admiration tue same trait and it's
practical application in any of the men,
DerS 0f Tie lower orders of animals. 1t
Is true that he is not inclined to look
with tho same cOmplacency on his
beastly typo as Oh himself, and for this
reason we find the jackal universally
scorneu OF men. Nevertheless, there
are two qualities the exhibition of either
one or both of which will at once com.
mand his applause. These are wit and
impudence.
The gull has both Of these qualities.
anu exercises them for its own benefit
at tho expense Of its fellows. Behold
thon good reason for admiring It'll 1t
| Is not at all nice in it's choice Of victims.
but practices its roguerios with regard
only TO its own safety and profit. If the
victim Do small, then force alone is re-
sorted TO to obtain the coveted object
winch Is always something to eat; if
strong, then wit is brought into play;
and il stupid, then impudence accom-
pllshes the Same result. Nor is the gull
unaware seemingly of the ludicrouslcss
VI The part it ~ often plays Of making
others 10 tho work it ought and can ITO
with the pelican.
The brown pelican, though its num-
bers have been greatly lcssrnul, is SILL
plentifully found along tho shores Of
the Gulf of Mexico, anu in Flurill;l es-
pecially may be encountered without
difficulty. 1t is interchangeable in two
- 81,
1t is Il pondorOus, clumsy bird, with
body AZ large us Il swans, but with
enormous wings which enable it. to liy
with ease and power and almost with
grace. The head, which is almost all
bill, is not pretty, but, what is better,
1t is cmincntly useful, for it combine,
fish spear and lunch-basket in one.
The upper part OF the bill terminates in
hook which is fatal to fish, aud the
lower part is shlmg with an elastic pouch
into which the captured prey are dulus-
tied until desired for eating.
AS 1t has large wcbDed feot and swinls
well, it catches A. great many fish, Just
;,s the ducks do; but it also has II very
picturesque way of capturing it's linny
prey. 1t sails majcstically over tho
water at a considerable height above it,
glancing sharply about for victims in
Lhe transparent element below, until,
catching glimpse of one favor,bly d IS
posed for capture, it launches itself
straight downward, and with bill pro-
jecthg and wings folded cleavos Tho air
like II bolt, CransiiXing The fish and by
The impetus of it's fall disappearing UNI
der the water, to return to the surface.
however, with all the b,.oyancy Of a
cork, anu with the quarry comfortably
tucked away for future reference,
Having labored earnestly III this way
until it's pouch is full, the pelican seeks
long ledge OF rocks, and there in COM
pany with his fellows takes up his posi-
Llon III solemn earneSLncss to enjoy the
fruits OF his toll. II skilful toss of the
head shoots fish from tho reservoir III
10 the throat, and gulp sends 1t on it's
way into the stomach. a little time for
Tie pleasurablo sensation Of digestion,
ami again the ho;ld is tossed And 10
tho game il played with regularity by
Tie whole groteSque line. Tho long
heads are sometimes turned about anu
rested OH the shoulders pointing back
ward, Or more frequently are held point
ing vertically downward.
Although large and clumsy creh-
turo the pelican Is not necessarily STU
pid; but by dint Of frequent tossing OF
the well-laden pouch it becomes at once
gorged and dull, and then is tho goldeu
opportunity OF the gull. lle impudent-
ly alights upon the very head Of tho
victim, and waits patiently until the
pelican receives warning from within
That another fish il wanted. Up goes
eDill, upon gapes the the awful mouth,
out shoots d doomed iisl--not into tho
ready throat, however, but into the
waiting bill OF vhe gull, which has ad-
roitly twisted its head 80 that it can 500
,ll that is exposed OF the pelican's inter-
nal economy, and has snatched the NOR
sci and llown with Il wild scream of
laughter to eat it at it's leisure, il in-
decd u gull ever had such Il state OF be-
ing. The pelican is almost too stupid
To know that IL has been robbed, but the
gull gives every evidence Of enjoying the
Lrick worry little less than the booty, for
its farewell Shrek sounds derisive
enough for the evil one himself. 1t
might DO supposed that the pelicans
would learn wisdom in the course OF
time, but they do not seem to have done
so yet, for day after day along the coral
reefs Of the Florida coast may DO seen
long lines Of gornandizilg policans ell
terCaining gulls in this way.
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He a.xft