D A LMA T IA N PE LICAN.
Pelecanus crispus, Feld.
k bibd of such striking magnitude as the present haring so long escaped observation even on the shores
of Europe, what may we not expect from those more distant countries to which the scrutinizing eye of the
naturalist has seldom penetrated? Although this species has been introduced to the notice of the scientific
within the last few years only, it has doubtless long abounded where it is now found. The specimen from
which our figure is taken was sent us by Baron de Feldegg, and was one of twenty-four killed by him on
the shores of Dalmatia.
In the letter which accompanied this specimen the Baron thus writes: “ The firet example of this bird that
came under my notice was shot by myself in the year 1828 in Dalmatia, and was sent to the Imperial Cabinet
■n Vienna. Two years after this, Messrs. Riippell and Kittlitz met with this species in Abyssinia, where,
however, it would appear to be very scarce, as those gentlemen procured only a single specimen. In tb^
year 1832 I published a description of it under the name of Pelecanus crispus. Many ornithologists are of
opinion that there is only one species of Pelican in Europe, for which reason they have given it the specific
name of onocrotalus, and they observe that the size which the bird attains is regulated by the temperature of
the climate in which it resides. I possess examples of the true Pelecams onocrotalus taken in Europe and
at the Cape of Good Hope, which in all the more important points closely resemble each other; the tarsi
for instance, are of equal length, and the naked spaces round the eyes are of the same extent, while, on th^
contrary, one shot in Moldavia was much smaller. The Pelecams crispus has undoubtedly escaped notice in
consequence of no other naturalist having seen both species together as I have in Dalmatia, where it arrives
in spring and autnmn, and where it gives preference to the, neighbourhood of Port Opus on the river Naranta,
which is bordered with morasses. It comes through Bosnia, seldom alone, Km generally in flocks; I have'
seen as many as twelve together hunting for fish:. .it is very cunning, and is extremely difficult to shoot. I
obtained, at different times, as many as twenty-four examples.”
The Pelecams crispus differs from the Common Pelican in possessing a beautiful crest and mane of narrow,
elongated, silky feathers; in the naked space around the eye being smaller; in the feathers of the breast being
stiff, lanceolate, rounded at the points, and of a firm elastic texture; in the body being more bulky and larger
in all its proportions ; and in the tarsi being stouter, of a different colour, and considerably shorter. “At all
seasons of the year old birds may be found both with and without the crest. I saw a specimen in M Aker’s
menagerie which had always had it, while a bird of the same species in another menagerie had none ; in all
other respects they were the same, and were very healthy; and I possess a female in which the ovaries were
largely developed, and which has a large crest covering the whole of the head, which circumstance induces me
to conclude that it is a very old bird.”
Of its habits, manners, mode of nidification, &c. no details have been ascertained, but we may reasonably
suppose, that in all these particulars it closely resembles the other members of its family.
“ Naked *Paoe rom,d t,le <Je* »«ddish, towards the bill bluish; upper mandible grev, passing intdlbito!
and red; gular pouch or sack under tfeb ill blood red intermingled with bluish ;v feet bluish grey; head
furnished with a crest and thickly covered "with feathers, which, with the wBol&of the upper and'under
surface, are silvery white;” the tail is; composed of twenty-two feathers, the shafts of which, with those of the
scapularies and secondary wing-coverts, are black;. primaries blackish brown; chest tinged with pale yellow.
The young, which are very seldom seen, are wholly brownish grey, the feathers being much finer and closer
in texture and more silky in appearance than in the adults.
We cannot close our account of this splendid bird, one of the noblest of its race, without offering our
wannest thanks to our esteemed friend the Baron de Feldegg. for the very fine specimen of this bird Be. so.
obligingly sent ns, as also for the very interesting communication transmitted with it, from which are extracted
the paragraphs in this paper included between inverted commas.
The Plate represents an adult and a young bird about one fourth of the natural size.