178 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



pairs remain and breed in that country. It appears also to occur in 

 the Canary Islands, thoup;li only on passage. 



The southern range of this species extends right down Africa to 

 the Cape of Good Hope, while its eastern range reaches as far as 

 Central Asia and India. In Europe the Stork is to be found as a 

 summer visitor inmost parts of the centre and south of the Continent, 

 and has been met with as far north as Bergen in Norway. In 

 Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Greece and Turkey, the 

 species is more or less abundant and breeds, as it does also in the 

 Spanish Peninsula. In Switzerland it also nests in some towns, but 

 in France and Italy it occurs more sparingly, and apparently only on 

 passage. Formerly, however, it is said to have nested regularly in 

 the north of France, and would probably do so still, if it received the 

 same protection that it does in most countries where it breeds. 

 Owing to its being supposed to bring good luck to the house it 

 may select as a site fur its nest, the Stork is held sacred in many 

 countries and is protected accordingly. It is indeed a peaceful harm- 

 less bird, and affects the neighbourhood of man and his dwellings 

 with the greatest trustfulness and confidence, courting, as it were, his 

 protection. 



Its diet, consisting chiefly of mice, reptiles, frogs and insects, 

 renders it a useful friend to the farmer and agriculturist. In Africa 

 locusts form an important item in its diet, and in the terrible inva- 

 sions of these insect-pests, which so often occur, the Stork must be 

 of great service. The Tunisians, however, do not consider the bird 

 sacred in any way, and simply do not molest it because it is worthless 

 as an article of food, or commerce. 



As a rule marshy plains or wet grass-fields are frequented by this 

 bird, and in such localities it is generally to be observed when away 

 from its nesting-home. Being naturally neither shy nor timid, the 

 species often becomes extremely tame and domesticated in confine- 

 ment. I once kept one, which had been disabled and was unable to 

 fly, for some time in my garden, where it became friendly with all 

 about it, resenting only the approach of any dog and giving utterance 

 to its displeasure on such occasions by a loud clattering of its bill. 

 Apparently the species utters no note or cry, and is silent except for 

 the peculiar clapping together of its mandibles. Its flight is powerful, 

 and when the birds are actually on migration, is maintained at a 

 considerable elevation. 



