g6 CICONIIFORMES 



developed. The short tail is normally e\cn or slightly rounded, with 

 twelve broad feathers, but in Dissiora it is deeply forked ^ and rigid, 

 while the unusually stiff coverts extending from beneath are easily 

 mistaken for rectrices. In LejytojJtilus these elongated coverts are 

 soft, and are the genuine " Marabou feathers." The furcula is 

 U-shaped, the tongue rudimentary, the aftershaft present or absent, 

 and there are no powder-down patches; the trachea in the male of 

 2\infa/i(s ibis has several intrathoracic convolutions,^ while there is 

 an entire want of syringeal muscles. The adults and young possess 

 uniform down, that of the nestlings being greyish or whitish. 



Storks, though easily tamed, are naturally shy, solitary birds, 

 which frequent wooded or open country on ]»lains or hills, usually 

 near inland waters, creeks, or salt-water lagoons ; the AVhite Stork 

 and the Adjutant are, however, instances of somewhat different 

 habits, the former showing a predilection for homesteads, and the 

 latter being protected as a scavenger in some parts of India ; 

 while Ciconia ahdimii is considered a " bird of jjlessing " by the 

 natives of Africa. Tlocks are occasionally seen. The flight is 

 graceful and noiseless, but powerful and rapid, tlie neck and legs 

 being carried in line with the body, and immense heights being 

 often attained Ijy soaring and circling movements. 'No ditticulty 

 is ex})erienced in walking, and many species stalk solenndy about 

 in pursuit of prey, whether in water or on dry land ; not un- 

 commonly they rest with the whole metatarsus upon the ground, 

 or stand on one foot with the l)ill touching the breast. The}' 

 are ordinarily quiescent during the heat of the day, and at night 

 frequently roost in trees. Mycteria senegalensis and M. indtca are 

 said to dance around their mates, the former skipping and Ijowing, 

 and the latter fluttering its extended wings, which touch those of 

 its partner, while advancing the head and making a clatter with the 

 bill.^ Generally speaking, this is the only noise Storks produce, 

 owing to the want of voice-muscles ; but Adjutants are said to utter 

 a loud grunting croak or bellow, and the yomig of Ciconia nigra 

 to give vent to a guttural cry. The food consists of fish, reptiles, 

 amphibians, crustaceans, molluscs, grasshoppers, and beetles, with 

 small mammals, or even eggs and young of Ijirds ; but LepUyptilas 

 is nearly omnivorous and enjoys carrion, including human carcases, 



1 RidgM'ay, Bull U.S. Gcol. Siirv. iv. Art. ix. 1878, pi>. 249-251. 

 -' GaiTod, P. Z. H. 1857, p. 297. 



•^ Layard, ed. Sliarpe, Birds of South Africa, 1875-84, p. 732, and Hume, ed. 

 Gates, Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds, iii. 1890, p. 266. 



