BIRDS OF THE BIBI,E 



The instinct of migration in birds, was, of course, 

 too striking a phenomenon to have escaped the 

 attention of Seer and Prophet. 



From this, indeed, some of the most graphic 

 and beautiful illustrations and figures of speech 

 were drawn. 



The migration of the crane, once a visitor to 

 England, and one of the largest birds which fly, 

 is referred to by both Jeremiah and Isaiah. 



Canon Tristram tells us how the whooping or 

 trumpeting of the crane rings through the night 

 air in spring, and that the vast flocks which he 

 noticed passing north near Beersheba, were a 

 wonderful sight. 



The periodical return of the stork, again, is 

 noticed in Jeremiah. Its regular and sudden 

 return is one of the most interesting natural 

 sights in Palestine. 



The expression — " the stork in the heavens " — 

 refers to the immense height at which the birds 

 fly during migration. The Hebrew name implies 

 their maternal care, for which they have been 

 famed for all ages. In all countries the stork is 

 regarded with a kind of affectionate veneration, 

 and is generally protected. In Western Europe 

 it builds mainly on houses : in the East on ruins, 

 and where buildings are scarce, on trees. The 

 black stork (Ciconia nigra) always builds on trees. 

 The black pinions of this stork, stretching from 

 its white body, have a singularly beautiful effect. 

 In Zechariah's vision the following passage 

 occurs : — ' ' Then lifted I up my eyes and looked, 

 and behold there came out tv/o women, and the 

 wind was in their wings : for they had wings 

 like the wings of a stork." 



Some interesting reflections are suggested in 

 regard to the swallow. In our translations two 

 entirely different Hebrew words " deror " and 



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