def read_pandas (self, format='table', **kwargs):
        """Read using :mod:`pandas`. The function ``pandas.read_FORMAT`` is called
        where ``FORMAT`` is set from the argument *format*. *kwargs* are
        passed to this function. Supported formats likely include
        ``clipboard``, ``csv``, ``excel``, ``fwf``, ``gbq``, ``html``,
        ``json``, ``msgpack``, ``pickle``, ``sql``, ``sql_query``,
        ``sql_table``, ``stata``, ``table``. Note that ``hdf`` is not
        supported because it requires a non-keyword argument; see
        :meth:`Path.read_hdf`.

        """
        import pandas

        reader = getattr (pandas, 'read_' + format, None)
        if not callable (reader):
            raise PKError ('unrecognized Pandas format %r: no function pandas.read_%s',
                           format, format)

        with self.open ('rb') as f:
            return reader (f, **kwargs)