The Seri, an exclusive tribe inhabiting the desert-like island Tiburon, in the Gulf of California, ascribe the creation of the world, and of themselves in particular, to the Ancient of Pelicans, a mythical fowl of supernal wisdom and melodious song who first raised the earth above the primeval waters. Thus the Seri Indians naturally held the pelican in especial regard. one of their customs was to tie a broken-winged, living pelican to a stake near the seashore, and then appropriate the fishes brought to the captive by its free relatives.
BIRDS IN LEGEND FABLE and FOLKLORE BY ERNEST INGERSOLL, 1923