156 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



and tippet, variable in colour, assumed at the 

 breeding-season, and for his pugnacity at that 

 time ; it is the only polygamous bird in the 

 family. 



Storks {Ciconiidce) . 



Diagnosis. — Large, tall wading-birds, with long stout 

 bill ; all front toes webbed at base, and well-developed 

 hind'toe. 



Size. — Always large, from nearly three feet high to 

 nearly five. 



Form. — Bill long, stout, straight, or curved at tip 

 (only in the Tantalus group), corner of mouth 

 reaching half-way to eye, nostrils basal ; legs bare 

 above hock, shanks long, three front toes webbed 

 at base, hind-toe well developed ; claws usually 

 short and blunt ; wings large, broad ; tail short. 

 Neck long. 



Plumage and Colouration. — Feathering close, co- 

 loured black, white and grey, the black usually 

 with metallic gloss ; some species (e.g., Adjutant) 

 are powdery. Space between bill and eyes always 

 bare, in some the whole head and neck. Under 

 tail-coverts sometimes very strong and stiff, some- 

 times downy. Sexes alike ; seldom a seasonal 

 change, but young usually different from adults, 

 being brown in many cases. 



Young. — Helpless and clothed in short down. 



Nest. — An open platform of sticks, usually placed on 

 trees or rocks. 



Eggs. — Several ; white. 



Incubation. — About a month. 



Courtship. — In the White Stork the male lays his 

 head on his back and erects his tail, clattering his 

 bill ; the Marabout {Leptoptiliis crumeniferns) ex- 

 pands his downy under tail-coverts. 



