HC Deb 15 May 1962 vol 659 cc1122-3
6. Sir T. Beamish

asked the Minister of Works whether he is yet able to make a statement about the sex of the pelicans in St. James's Park.

Lord John Hope

A post-mortem examination has revealed that Wilfred, one of the two North American white pelicans, who recently had to be destroyed following an accident, was appropriately named. The survivor of this pair is now sharing the same rock as an Eastern White. Time will show whether it gets the bird.

Sir T. Beamish

Is my noble Friend aware that the news that these two pelicans, in spite of the fact that they come from continents on opposite sides of the world and have cold-shouldered each other for years past, are now sharing accommodation is very good as far as it goes? Can my noble Friend say whether, from his observations of their activities on the rock, he is yet able to guess whether there is likely to be a happy event before long or whether they should be described only as just friends?

Lord John Hope

It is difficult to say yet, but, as the rock warms up during the summer, we may, perhaps, find out.

Mr. Bowles

Does the Minister recall that I raised this matter about ten years ago and pointed out to his predecessor that the way to find out would be to take a needle and thread stuck in a cork and hold it over the body of the fowl in question? If it is a male, the cork will go in a direct line, and if it is a female the cork will go round in circles. I had a word with Mr. Hinton, who was the man in charge of the pelicans at that time, and he agreed that this was a very good suggestion and an accurate scientific way of testing the matter.

Lord John Hope

I was aware that there was a theory that this worked with ladies, but I did not know that it did with pelicans. I will look into it.