the Natural History of the Black Stork. 21 



peaceably to be taken up without much struggle. From the 

 manner in which it is observed to search the grass with its bill, 

 there can be no doubt that reptiles form part of its natural food ; 

 even mice, worms, and the larger insects, probably add to its 

 usual repast. AVhen searching in thick grass or in the mud for 

 its prey, the bill is kept partly open : by this means I have ob- 

 served it take eels in a pond with great dexterity : no spear, com- 

 mon in use for taking that fish, can more effectually receive it 

 between its prongs than the grasp of the Stork's open mandibles. 

 A small eel has no chance of escaping when once roused from its 

 lurking-place. But the Stork does not gorge its prey instantly 

 like the Corvorant ; on the contrary, it retires to the mai;gin of 

 the pool, and there disables its prey by shaking and beating with 

 its bill, before it ventures to swallow it. I never observed this 

 bird attempt to swim ; but it will wade up to the belly, and occa- 

 sionally thrust the whole head and neck under water after its prey. 

 It prefers an elevated spot on which to repose : an old ivy-bound 

 Aveeping-willow, that lies prostrate over the pond, is usually re- 

 sorted to for that purpose. In this quiescent state the neck is 

 much shortened by resting the hinder part of the head on the 

 back ; and the bill rests on the fore-part of the neck, over which 

 the feathers flow partly so as to conceal it, making a very singular 

 appearance. 



The Black Stork, perhaps, is not more delicate in its food than 

 the white species : fish appears to be preferred to flesh, but when 

 very hungry any sort of offal is acceptable. 



All birds that pursue their migrative course by night in con- 

 gregation, have undoubtedly some cry by which the whole assem- 

 bly is kept together; yet it should appear that at other times the 

 Black Stork is extremely mute : not a single note has been heard 

 to issue from the bird in question since its captivity. 



As 



