THE MAliABOU STOKK. * 485 



it. It lias been known in this way lo make a single mouthful of an entire boiled fowl. 

 Permitted to fly at large about (ho island, it roosted very high among the silk-cotton 

 trees, from the tops of ■which, even at the distance of two or three miles, it would espy 

 the servants carrying the dishes across tlie yard, and dash down among them as they 

 entered the hall. 



When sitting, it was observed always to rest itself on the whole length of the hind 

 part of the leg. It sometimes stood in the room for half an hour after dinner, turning 

 its head alternately, as if listening to the conversation. 



It preyed on small quadrupeds, birds, and reptiles, and -though it would destroy 

 poultry, it never dared openly to attack a hen with her young ones. It had been known 

 to swallow a cat whole ; and a bone of a shin of beef being broken served it for only 

 two morsels. 



Its courage was not ctpial to its voracity, for a child of eight or ten years old was able 

 to put it to flight ; though it would seem at first to stand on the defensive, by threaten- 

 ing with its enormous bill widely extended, and crying out with a loud hoarse voice. 



Thero are two other species of gigantic stork or crane : the Adjutant or Argala, of 

 Bengal,* and a Javanese species described by Dr. llorstield.f They strongly resemble 

 the white stork of Europe, but become more familiar, and in consequence of their large 

 size, render more essential service in the remoMil of carrion, oft'al, and other nuisances. 



• Ciconia Argala. . f Cicoiiia Javaiiica. 



