The PELECANE. Onocrotalus, from the noise he makes like an Ass. See the Description hereof in Aldrovandus, Willughby, and others. I add, That the shortness of his Trunk or Body, in respect to the other Parts, is observable; not being a foot long: whereas from the end of his Bill to his Rump, he's near an Eln long: and to the end of his Toes, he's above a yard and half. I shall describe his Bill a little more particularly.

The upper Beak, from the bottom of his Forehead, is fourteen inches long; behind an inch over, and convex or ridged; before, an inch and half over, and almost flat. It is composed of three Bones; the end of the middlemost is hooked like a Hawks Bill; the edges of the two utmost are sharp, and bended downwards; all made rough within with five or six edged-lines running through the length of the Beak: thus well contriv'd for the holding the most slippery Prey. The end of the nether Beak, is almost like the Poop Prore of a Ship. 'Tis in length sixteen inches, being extended (I think further than in all other Birds) an inch beyond the Eye: whereas the usual Picture, makes it to end as much before, or on this side it. Partly by this unusual production; the swallow is the greater, as fit for so voraceous a Bird. It consisteth of two Bones, united together only at the end. To which, and part of his Neck, is subjoyned a Membrane vastly expansible; as appears in the Bird here preserv'd, capable of above two gallons of Water, and which Franciscus Stellutus, quoted by Mr. Willughby out of Joh. Faber, saith, he lets hang down and contracts again at his pleasure. It may not be improperly called the Crop, which in other Birds lies under the Neck, but in this is extended to the very end of his Bill.

'Tis probable, that the use of this Bag is not only for the reception, but also the maceration of his Meat. And that having taken his opportunity to fill it, by contracting it, presses the meat down into his Ventricle and Guts, by degrees, as they are able to subdue it. Besides the luxury of the Tast Taste, which perhaps he enjoys all the while it lies in his Throat. 'Tis also probable, that the meat being herein warm'd, and made a little tenderer, the Female doth disgorge part of it, wherewith to feed her Young. And might occasion the Fiction, of this Birds feeding her Young, with her own Blood.