The original tie of the Society (20827.3 – condition, worn) was a silk striped tie in College colours. The pelicans on the subsequent tie (19959.1– condition, worn; 20827.3 – condition, well worn) dating back to 1965, as on other University College Hospital ties are depicted disgorging food for pelican chicks, hence the motif being affectionately known as the ‘puking pelican’. According to legend pelican with chicks tear their chests apart with their beaks to feed their young fresh pelican blood. In reality, the only damaged which may be caused to the chest of pelican parents may be the result of hungry chicks pecking their parents in attempts to get more food.