96 CICONIIFORMES CHAP. 
developed. The short tail is normally even or slightly rounded, with + 
twelve broad feathers, but in Disswra it is deeply forked * and rigid, 
while the unusually stiff coverts extending from beneath are easily 
mistaken for rectrices. In Leptoptilus 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 
Tantalus 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 plains or hills, usually 
near inland waters, creeks, or salt-water lagoons; the White 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 abdimii is considered a “bird of blessing” by the 
natives of Africa. Flocks are occasionally seen. The flight is 
graceful and noiseless, but powerful and rapid, the neck and legs 
being carried in line with the body, and immense heights being 
often attained by soaring and circling movements. No difficulty 
is experienced in walking, and many species stalk solemnly 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 bill touching the breast. They 
are ordinarily quiescent during the heat of the day, and at night 
frequently roost in trees. /ycteria senegalensis and J. indica are 
said to dance around their mates, the former skipping and bowing, 
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 young 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 birds; but Leptoptilus 
is nearly omnivorous and enjoys carrion, including human careases, 
Ridgway, Bull. U.S. Geol. Surv. iv. Art. ix. 1878, pp. 249-251. 
Garrod, P. Z. S..1857, p. 297. 
Layard, ed. Sharpe, Birds of South Africa, 1875-84, p. 732, and Hume, ed. 
Oates, Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds, iti. 1890, p. 266. 
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