40 CICONIIDAG 
For an account of the allusions made by early writers to 
Storks in Ireland, the reader is referred to Mr. Ussher’s 
‘ Birds of Ireland,’ p. 170. 
The Stork in a state of nature is a most interesting 
bird ; if unmolested it grows very tame. I have noticed 
it in Germany and Switzerland walking about the corn- 
fields and meadows while the men were working close 
by. I have seen it perched contentedly on the farmers’ 
cottages and haystacks, and this bird has been observed even 
walking about the streets, especially in the early morning, 
before traffic becomes general. These habits may be 
observed within easy reach of the British Isles; a trip 
Fic. 8.—WHITE STORK. 
to Holland or Germany would well repay the bird-lover 
who wishes to make himself acquainted with the habits 
of the White Stork. 
Flight.—Storks together on the wing look beautiful, 
especially when they soar upward until their white forms, 
gradually growing less bird-like, ultimately seem to be- 
come transfigured into portions of the surrounding clouds. 
The flight, though slow, is buoyant and sustained, and 
the great size of the bird renders it a most imposing- 
looking creature. 
Votce.—Neglecting the extraordinary habit which the 
