“After the first molt, at about twelve months of age, the whole head and neck are covered with short, soft, downy feathers, the bases of which are black, the tips white; and the crest and mane are developed to the same extent as in the adult; the shoulders and scapulars are wood-brown; the lesser and median coverts to the secondaries wood-brown; the feathers all edged with paler; the greater coverts darker brown, edged with light brown; the coverts to the tertiaries grayish brown, edged with pale fulvous. The whole of the coverts narrow and sharp-pointed; the winglet, primaries, and their coverts dark brown; the secondaries brown, tinged with ashy on the outer webs; the whole back, rump, upper tail-coverts, and flanks white; the lower plumage whitish brown, each feather being white with the tip brownish, the feathers close, dense, and soft.
“In June of the third year, or when the bird is about thirty months old, the molt into adult breeding plumage is commenced and the change is entirely effected by October, except that in this first breeding season the wing-coverts never become entirely white as in the old birds, the feathers of these parts being a mixture of long sharp-pointed, white feathers, and comparatively blunt brown ones. Between June and October the pouch, which has hitherto been spotless, becomes blotched with livid as in the adults, the blotches extending to the face; the legs turn to dark brown; the iris becomes paler brown; and the spots on the bill become firm and well defined.
“Mr. E. W. Oates, having kept large numbers of P. philippensis in confinement, has had exceptional opportunities of studying the changes of plumage, and the above descriptions are the results of his observations, published in his Birds of British Burmah.” (Grant.)
“We were informed that pelicans were abundant on the Laguna de Bay at certain seasons, but when we were there none were to be found. A number of specimens are preserved in the Jesuit Museum at Manila, and several live birds were to be seen there on different occasions when we visited the Museum. Padre Sanchez kindly offered us specimens, and we intended to accept his offer at a later date, but unforeseen circumstances prevented our doing so.” (Bourns and Worcester MS.)
“Abundant about fish-breeding ponds in tide-water marshes of Bulacan in February, 1904. Also at Anao, Tarlac Province, in same month and year. Fairly common in the Candaba swamp, Luzon.” (Worcester.)
Order ACCIPITRIFORMES.
EAGLES, HAWKS, AND FALCONS.
Bill strong, upper mandible considerably longer than the lower, culmen much curved, end of bill hooked and its tip perpendicular; basal portion of bill covered by a membrane or cere, in which the nostrils are situated; legs large; feet very strong, claws curved and sharp; general plumage compact; wings long and powerful; tail nearly square, rarely forked or wedge-shaped.