Chapter PEGU to PELICAN of P by The Hobson Jobson Dictionary

“the pelicans in the barrack-yard,” maintained her correctness, conceding only that “some ca’d them paylicans, some ca’d them audjutants.”

1829.—“This officer … on going round the yard (of the military prison) … discovered a large beef-bone recently dropped. The sergeant was called to account for this ominous appearance. This sergeant was a shrewd fellow, and he immediately said,—‘Oh, Sir, the pelicans have dropped it.’ This was very plausible, for these birds will carry enormous bones; and frequently when fighting for them they drop them, so that this might very probably have been the case. The moment the dinner-trumpet sounds, whole flocks of these birds are in attendance at the barrack-doors, waiting for bones, or anything that the soldiers may be pleased to throw to them.”—Mem. of John Shipp, ii. 25.