404 ARDEIN^E. 



dally ichthyophagous, as is shown by the structure of their 

 digestive organs, as well as by their habits. They feed also 

 on Crustacea, mollusca, worms, insects, occasionally reptiles, 

 small quadrupeds, and young birds. Those of the Stork 

 kind, especially if domesticated or allowed to frequent cities, 

 devour with Vulturine appetite any animal substance they 

 can find. They walk sedately, often gracefully ; wade into 

 shallow water in search of prey ; often stand patiently wait- 

 ing its arrival, when they suddenly jerk out their previously 

 retracted neck, seize it with their strong-pointed bill, and 

 generally swallow it entire. They have a quiet, seemingly 

 heavy, but in reality buoyant flight, capable of being pro- 

 tracted to great distances. Their voice is generally a harsh, 

 grating scream, without modulation, or a kind of guttural 

 croak ; but some emit a booming or drumming noise. They 

 nestle on the ground or on trees, often in large communities, 

 forming a large flat nest of twigs and other rude materials, 

 and lay from two to five eggs, of a broadly elliptical form, 

 and generally of a light greenish-blue colour. The young, 

 at first bare or scantily clothed with coarse down, remain in 

 the nest until able to fly, unless attacked, Avhen they often 

 leave it ; but are incapable of running with the speed of the 

 young Cursitores. On being pursued or surprised, the old 

 birds do not squat or run, but fly off. Species occur in all 

 countries, but are more numerous toward the equator. They 

 frequent marshes, the shores of lakes, rivers, and even the 

 sea. Only one species is common in Britain ; but eleven 

 others occur there, most of them as accidental or occasional 

 visitants. 



SYNOPSIS OF TEE BRITISH GENERA AND SPECIES. 



GENUS I. BOTAITRTJS. BlTTEItN. 



Bill longer than the head, slender, straight, compressed, 

 tapering to a fine point, and with the edges sharp and serru- 

 late. Legs of moderate length ; tibia bare for a short space 



