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LIVING CREATURES. 



The Storks of Delfth. 



41. THE STORK. 



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THIS bird is a near relation of the heron, and has 

 long and' slender legs, and a long and rather thick 

 neck. The bill is of the same length as the head, and 

 tapers to a point. 



In the countries where it lives, the stork is cher- 

 ished with the utmost affection. In Holland, the 

 people in the towns and cities place wooden boxes or 

 frames on the tops of the houses or chimneys, to in- 

 duce the storks to settle there. The birds are per- 

 fectly tame, and are thought to bring prosperity to 

 the person who entertains them. 



In the. winter the stork goes away to Egypt or some 

 other warm country, and comes back with the swal- 

 lows. The ancient Egyptians almost worshiped it, 

 and it was one of their sacred birds. The reason why 

 this bird is so much beloved is because it destroys the 

 snakes, and rats, and mice, and other unpleasant creat- 



