WHITE STORK. 223 



aud in Natal. It is said that their nests are built in the 

 neighbourhood of large swarms of young locusts, which 

 remain for a long time near the spot where they are 

 hatched, and thus afford food for the young Storks (Layard 

 and Sharpe's ' B. South Africa,' p. 728). 



The White Stork, from its familiarity, and the services 

 which it renders to man in some countries by the destruc- 

 tion of reptiles and the removal of offal, has secured for 

 itself an especial protection, and an exemption from the 

 persecution which is the lot of the less favoured of the fea- 

 thered tribes. It stalks about in perfect confidence along 

 the busy streets and markets of the most crowded towns, 

 and seeks its food on the banks of rivers, or in fens, in the 

 vicinity of its abode. Its periodical return to its accustomed 

 nest, the home of many generations, has ever been regarded 

 with feelings of pleasure ; and its visits to the habitations of 

 man have not only been permitted, but welcomed. The 

 date of return depends upon the locality, and still more 

 upon the season. In various parts of Europe the nest of 

 this bird, built on the chimney top, remains undisturbed 

 for many succeeding years ; in Holland, and some districts 

 of Germany, boxes and old cart-wheels are provided on 

 the tops of the houses ; and in several continental cities, 

 he considers himself a fortunate man whose roof the Stork 

 selects for its periodical nesting- place. Mr. Benzon, writing 

 of Denmark, says, that if the nest is removed to another 

 place, the Stork takes possession of it next season ; and 

 sometimes a peasant sells a Stork's nest to a neighbour, so 

 as to bring him luck. The structure, composed of sticks 

 and other coarse materials, is shallow, but being added to 

 year by year, it sometimes attains the height of five or six 

 feet. It is generally placed on buildings, but trees, and 

 the ledges of cliffs, are sometimes selected. The eggs, from 

 three to five in number, are pure white ; the average mea- 

 surements being 2*8 by 2-1 in. The yolk is of a very deep 

 orange-colour. After a month's incubation the young are 

 hatched, and, with great care, attended and watched alter- 

 nately by the parents until fully fledged and able to provide 



