_The Pelican as a Symbol of the Saviour_ (Vol. v., p. 59.).--In Lord
Lindsay's _Christian Art_, vol. i. xx. xxi., we find, in the text: "God
the Son (is symbolised) by a Pelican" (Psalm cii. 6.), to which is added
the following note:
"The mediæval interpretation of this symbol is given as follows by
Sir David Lindsay of the Mount, Lion King (nephew of the poet), in
his MS. Collectanea, preserved in the Advocates' Library,
Edinburgh:--
"'The Pellican is ane foule in Egipt, of the quhilkis auld men
sayis that the litill birdis straikis thair fader in the face with
thair wingis, and crabis him quhill (till) he slayis thame. And
quhen the moder seis thame slane, scho greitis (weeps) and makis
grit dule thre dayis lang, quhill scho streikis hirself in the
breist with hir neb (beak), and garris the blude skayle (flow)
vpone hir birdis, quhairthrow thai restoir and turnis to lyf
agane. Bot sum folkis sayis thai ar clekkit swown and (hatched
swooning), lyk as thai war bot (without) life, and that thair
fader haillis (heals) thame agane with his blude. And this maner
haly kirk beiris witnes, quhair our Lord sayis that he is maid lyk
the Pelican.'"