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The Brown Pelican.
(Pelecanus fuscus.)
The Pelican haunts lakes, rivers and sea-coasts where fish are plentiful. The skin under the lower mandible of its huge beak is very loose, forming a great pouch in which the bird can carry a store of fish. When hunting the Pelican prefers water deep enough for swimming, but not so deep that he cannot reach the bottom with head immersed. In this manner he works until he has a full pouch, and then retires to the bank to rest and preen himself. When a mother Pelican has young to feed, she presses her pouch against her breast, opens her mouth and allows the chicks to help themselves. The Brown Pelican is common on the coast in the warmer parts of North and South America.