THE BIRDS OF AFRICA. 261" 



recalls the snake to anyone who sees it for the first 

 time swimmincr in a lagoon or creek, with its body sub- 

 merged, and only the serpentine neck and head above the 

 water, where it darts about in an undulating fashion with 

 great swiftness in search of prey. 



When alarmed, it draws its head and neck below the 

 surface, only just exposing the nostrils to enable it to 

 breathe. The darter can remain submerged for a very 

 protracted period. 



THE STORKS. 



Famil}^ — CiconiidiE, 

 Genus — 



1. Ciconia. C. episcopns. Wliite-necked Stork. 



2. Abdiviia. A. sphenor/iyncha. White-billed Stork. 



3. BalcEuiccps. Shoebill. 



Shoebill. — This is a very curious bird, at least it has 

 a very strange bill, and is known by a number of names, 

 in addition to the one here adopted, and among them figure 

 whalebill, whalehead, and hook-billed boathead. 



It is chiefly found in Egypt, in the swampy ground, 

 where it exists, along the banks of the Nile, but chiefly in 

 the Rhol district, according to Petherick, who met with it 

 there. 



Sometimes it is seen in pairs, and sometimes in flocks of 

 a hundred or more, whicli means that during the breeding 

 season the pairs prefer the absence of their companions to 

 their presence near them, but that when released from the 

 cares (and pleasures ?) of family life, the social instinct 

 brings them together again. 



They breed during the rain}^ season, depositing their two 



