ABOUT THE STORK. 



In all countries and ages, the stork (except, indeed, in England) has received 

 protection and kindness from man. In ancient Egypt no one was allowed 

 to kill a stork. Its amiable and affectionate disposition have made it many- 

 friends, and it is very useful as a destroyer of reptiles. The stork, in return, 

 fears no ill, and builds its nest amid the busy throng of men, and walks the 

 crowded streets without the least sense of danger. 



In some of the Turkish cities where the stork passes the winter, the nests 

 are often placed on the tall round pillars of the mosques, that in Bagdad are 

 flat at the top. Here is a famous foundation for the nest, and the pillar 

 looks as if crowned with the nest, the head of the bird and its long neck 

 appearing over the edge. The Turks hold the bird in the utmost esteem, 

 and fancy that its movements resemble their own attitudes of devotion. In 

 cities where there is a mixed population, the stork always makes its nest on 

 ■the house of the Turk. 



The storks spend the winter in the deserts of Africa or Arabia, and come 

 back to their old haunts in the summer. 



They build their nests on the tops of old houses or belfreys, and in the 

 chimneys of tall houses, and even in dead trees. 



In some of the marshy districts of Holland the storks are of the greatest 

 'Use, for they kill the snakes and lizards and mice and frogs, that abound and 

 are exceedingly troublesome to the inhabitants. 



The grateful people encourage the stork to dwell among them, and 

 welcome it back from its winter tour. Children sing little songs about the 

 coming of the stork, and it is made as much fuss with as the swallow is 

 with us. 



And they sometimes make a platform at the top of the house for the 

 stork to build her nest upon. An old cart-wheel is placed in a fiat position 

 at the top of a strong pole, and is just the very foundation the stork wants. 

 Of course, she is only too glad to come, and very soon sticks and twigs and 

 reeds are carried there in large quantities, for it is a very strong nest. 



The outside is made of these materials, and the inside is lined with herbs, 

 mosses, and down. Year after year the faithful and affectionate birds come 

 io the same nest, and nothing can ever wean them from it. 



