284 



THE REASON WHY. 



Who bade the stork, Columbus-like, explore 



Heavens not his own, and worlds unknown before ? 



Who c.ills the council, states the certain day, 



Who forms the phalanx, and who points the way.&quot; POPE. 



times rejoicing iu plenty at others suffering from scarcity. 

 Their hearty feeding during favourable seasons enables them to 

 bear a period of abstinence without material injury. 



909. Wliy has the stork been from the most ancient periods an 

 object of favour and veneration? 



Because its usefulness is great ; especially in hot countries, where 

 it acts as a vigilant scavenger, removing the causes of disease 

 and death, and eating the most annoying species of reptiles. 



910. Its beneficial labours in Egypt doubtless led to the deification of the ibis, 

 a bird of similar character and form. In Holland, and the northern parts of 

 Germany, the stork is still protected as a precursor of &quot;good luck.&quot; 



911. Why has the 

 jacana toes of extraor 

 dinary length ? 



Because it inhabits the 

 borders of waters which 

 are frequently over-grown 

 with the broad leaves 

 of aquatic plants. Its 

 spreading toes, coupled 

 with the lightness of its 

 body, enable the bird to 

 walk upon the leaves, 

 whilst it gathers the in 

 sects, worms, and small 

 fishes that surround 

 them. 



them. 



912. Why has the jacana sharp hard spurs on the corner 

 each wing ? 



i each wing ? 

 Because snakes of various sizes, all rapacious, and to be dreaded. 



