Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-21
PELICANS FOR PETS
A WHITE SPECIMEN THAT SHOW
ED INTELLIGENCE.
Tourists Go Out Of Their Way to Visit
It in It's Santa Barbara
Home.
From the Scientific American.

From the Scientific American. -
A few years ago pelicans were quite COM
mon along the ocean front at Santa Bar
bara, Cal Habitues of the beach took great
pleasure in watching their slow, measured
flight as they carefully scanned the water
fifteen to twenty-five feet beneath, for now
and then there was sudden folding of a
pair of wings, downward plunge with the
speed of an arrow head first into the sea-
the unerring marksman reappearing in a
moment and floating on the waves long
enough to reveal a glimpse of fish gliding
down his capacious gullet and to shake the
water from his disheveled plumage.
These interesting birds did not remain
long after they became the target for So
called sportsnen, and for some reason have
never returned to any extent.
Inc pelican seems to be very gooddispo-
slt1oned- creature-large and awkward and
amlable, like young mastiff or baby ele-
phant; yet the following incident so oppo-
site to pelican nature, shows that he too IS
capable of manifestng decidedly opposite
traits.
A Vicious Specimen.
AT Goleta, near Santa Barbara. the ter
ror-strcken cries of nineteen-months old
child brought the frightened women of the
family to the rescue. A huge pelican had
attacked the little one. who had been play
ing in the chicken yard, and, with wings ex-
tended,was in angry pursuit, making vicious
thrusts at the childs head. The great bird
made no effort to escape, but pugna ciously
stood its ground, even when the women re-
turned after taking the baby to a place of
safety, and fought until they succeeded in
capturing it. 1t measured eight feet from
tip to tip. No explanation is offered for it's
strange misconduct, as it was not hurt in
any way and there was no apparent reason
Tor Its unheard-Of escapade
A white pelican has for years been the
pet OF a hshermans family at Santa Bar
para. So remarkable is he for his intelli-
sence that tourists go to see and photo
graph 'LarcO'S pelican as one of the
sights of the city. This one was captured
inland, white pelicans preferring fresh
water to salt, The eyes are surrounded by
lemon-yellow and the pouch is orange col
ored. Ordinarily the pouch is so contrac
that there is little that is noticeable about
1t until the mouth is opened; and then only
Wnen he wishes to expand it for some pur-
pose. The flexible frame suggests rattan,
ana the two sides remain parallel or bow
OUT at the Will of the owner, who adjusts
1t to any width occasion may require. The
pouch itself, soft as undressed kid is thin
ana elastic and capable of great distention.
A sociable Fellow.
Occasionally he makes a sound like the
suppressed grunting of a pig. When he
wishes to pick up a stick or other object the
.'it| vi liic iISdt IS turned down to the
ground, so the object is grasped lengthwise
instead of in the ordinary way.
When he yawns-he is as fond of an af-
ter-dinner nap as any gourmand-the neck
rests along the back and the bill upon it.
like collapsed letter S. The upper mandi-
bic rises high in air, there is a flash of vel
low as the pouch widens and rises like a big
pupb!e. II NanlShcS as quickly and all is
over. This remarkable appearance is caused
by the pouch turning backward Cor wrong
side out over the neck and breast
jim IS a socable fellow, and fond,es
friends and strangers alike, when the latt er
VIII permit it, by taking their arm hand or
leg repeatedly between his mandibles His
grip is not strong, but there is a strong.
sharp hook on the end Of the beak that in
spires caution.
He manifests surprising aptitude in learn
ing the little tricks taught him. and is
generally willing TO show off for company
At the call of his name he responds as
readily as dog. and is as ready to Join in
a frolic, catching ball with great dexter
lty. This is accomplished by extending the
pouch to just the required width. So the
ball is as easily held as if caught in n
shallow bag.
A favorite trick is to stand motionless
while the bah pebble is being balanced
on his nose, and then, with a quick toss
catch it in his mouth.
His Dog Friend
The human traits of desire for approba-
ton, and jealousy, are displayed in a ludi-
crous degree, his friend and companion, the
fox terrier. usually being the cause of these
manifestations. Not infrequently he admin
listers physical rebuke In these encoun-
ters the pelican generally comes off victori-
Gus, the dog prudently retreating before the
stabs of the long, sharp-hook- tipped bill
Otherwise the two live on the most ami
cable terms
Repeated efforts have been made bv the
Larcos to domesticate the brown pelican,
put While they become very tame they are
as stupid as the white one is sagacious
and can be taught nothing; and after a
time they fly away with the wild pelicans
ana are seen no more-eXcept the last one
For several years this one has left in the
spring and returned in the fall, with occa-
sonal absences in winter. His returns are
that he has come to be known as 'Larco's
weather prophet" and the local papers
duly announce his appearance as presaging
storm This is accounted for by the as
SUMPTION that fishing is poor during stormy
weather, and the pelican knows there is
plenty of fish al Larco's to be had for the
asking.
The last departure lasted seven months.
and it was thought he had left permanent
ly; but few days ago he alighted in the
hshermans yard, and was as much at home
as ever, accepting the familiarities Of
strangers as though he had constantly as
ISOLATED with human beings.
The white pelican has never regarded the
brown one with favor, though the latter is
as friendly as the former will allow