326 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



base, pointed, and sharp- edged ; legs long and slender ; tibia bare 

 for half its length ; tarsi long, compressed, reticulated ; hind toe 

 short, slightly elevated, and inserted rather high, but resting upon 

 the ground ; the tail is short. They are found in nearly all parts of 

 the world. Some species migrate with regularity, being admirably 

 constructed for travelling long distances ; for, although their bulk 

 seems great, their weight is comparatively small, as most of their 



Fig. 127. Common White Spoonbill. 



bones are hollow. In their migratory journeys, which occur princi- 

 pally by night, they fly in continuous or angular lines. 



Storks prefer moist swampy localities, as they feed principally on 

 reptiles, batrachians, and fishes ; but small birds and mammalia, mol- 

 luscs, worms, insects, even bees are not refused by them, or carrion, 

 and other impurities. Their manner is slow and grave ; they never 

 appear in a hurry. On the wing they resemble crosses, from their 

 manner of carrying the head and neck. They have no voice, 

 and the only noise they make is a cracking, which results from one 

 mandible striking against the other, and which expresses either 

 anger or love ; it is sometimes very loud, and, under favourable 

 circumstances, may be heard as much as a league away. They lay 



