The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-06-23
BY ANNE H. WooDRUFF.


A family of pelicans lived on the mar
gin of lovely lake A very large family
it was. indeed-fathers, mothers and chill
dren; uncles, aunts and cousins innumer-
able They had delightful times, for it
was always warm weather there, and,
best of all, there was always plenty to
eat. All they had to do when they were
hungry was to skim along the surface
of the water, and when an unlucky fish
showed himself Dounce down uDon him
and gObble him UP. Sometimes whole
ShOdl of fish would aDDeaT. and then 1t
was a wonderful and beautiful sight to
see that great family of pelicans sweep
suddenly down upon their prey In a most
startling manner.
There were trees growing on the banks
of the lake, which cast delightful shad-
OWs upon the water, some OF the long,
dropping branches of the willows reaching
clear down into the lake. They found
the shade very refreshing after a fight in
the hot sunshine and the eXertion Of
catching their lunch
One me day, while they were taking
their rest in the shade beneath the will
lows, a pair Of young pelicanS were en-
gagged in close and absorbing converse
ton They were a handsome couple, of
large size, white, slightly tinged with
pink, or flesh color. They had large,
broad and extremely long bills, the ex-
red color, and curving like hook over
the under one.
My dear" the female pelican was say
ing 10 her mate, the time has come
when I shall need to look for a suitable
spot for nest. l must have your help
in selecting il.
Certainly. my love-" was the answer
Il shall be happy to render YOU all the
assistance in my power What was your
idea?'
L am, as you are aware. of a very
retiring disposition, she said, and the
publicity of this shore, where ali ouI
friends love TO cOngregate, is extremely
distasteful to me. | am really puzzled tC
know what to do
Really said ne, Il am quite at loss
how to advise you. All, yes! have
itr'
Speak. my love. and relieve my anx-
iety. she implOred.
what do you think of that wood yOn-
der?' he asked, indicating by graceful
motion of his right wing a small island
lying at no great distance from the shore
Just the thing" she exclaimed, JoyIui
| " How clever of you! My dear
would you be so kind as to so in and In
vestigate, and bring me word as 70 Us
suitability ant comfort for nestE
do not feel quite equal to the exefuoI
with pleasure. love" he replied, swim
ming off across the water, while his 1onC
spouse stood on the bank watching ms
! graceful movements with proud and ad
miring eyes.
| In a short time he returned and as
sured her that it was impossible to hnC
| a more desirable place, so the next DAY
/ she made there her nest OF sort rushe'
| and grass, on the ground near the water
/ In due time three beautiful white egg
+ appeared in the nest, upon when She sd
dav and night until they We're hatehed
/ II must be acknowledged that her spouse
/ was most attentive and devoted, bringing
her the choicest tit-bits IN the way o
| Ash that il was possible for him to mo
How the proud parents rejoieed Il
their little ones! They thought Of nothing
| else but to provide for their wants, bring
/ ing them the fish they caught IN the larg,
| nn71ches beneath the bill, with which al
pelieans are provided for that purpose
| The little ones grew and thrived, and IN
! mother said they would soon be able [.
| leave the nest, when she would teacl
/ Them TO earn their own living. Sn
warned them not to leave the nest with
! ont her permission, limiting at vague am
! fearful dangers that were without ina
/ safe retreat
! 6snt disposition, and in the absence o
| his mother announced his intention OF Tor
| aging for himself. Like maay young PEG
ME he had a great idea of his own .apili
| lies and wanted 10 see the world ana en-
low himself When his more obedien