I read on a public library listserv about a person researching an epitaph from a headstone. It states "There is a bird in a zoo called a pelican." They'd like to know if it could be a coded message as it was engraved on a headstone of someone that had served in
World War II. Has anyone run across this epitaph in their cemetery wanderings?
Thanks

Wondering if it was a child's grave? Is that the first line of the children's poem that continues:
"and his beak can hold more than his belly can [kin]"
Don't know the rest of it...

Lo

Was he in Iowa? Was he shot and killed? A Bird Lover, game warden? Could be a reference to his service in the war if he was a sharpshooter or sniper.
Here is what I found doing a Google search of the term. It is on the front of a Post Card sent in 1954.

"THERE IS A BIRD IN THE ZOO / CALLED THE PELICAN / IOWA STATE FAIR" Back continues: "These pelicans were crippled by shooters who didn't / know or care that the big birds are protected in / Iowa...Make sure of your target, shoot / only at lawful game species, and give rare birds / and animals a chance for survival."
"Lengthy & interesting ecological message sent 1954 at Des Moines, black & white post card, toned back, small corner crease, unusual subject matter. $6.00 ebi"

This is the website with an image of the post card of 2 pelicans:
http://www.judnick.com/Birds.htm

posted same reply also in WWII message board...

Wikipedia says the pelican is symbolic of Jesus and the Eucharist, and refers to it as self-sacrificing. Could that be the context?