HERODIONES. ( 64 ) CICON11D&. 



THE WHITE STORK. 



Ciconia alba. 



Where the Rhine loses its majestic force 



In Belgian plains, won from the raging deep 



By diligence amazing and the strong 



Unconquering hand of Liberty, 



The Stork Assembly meets, for many a day 



Consulting deep and various ere they take 



Their arduous voyage through the liquid sky. 



THOMSON, Autumn. 



A FINE specimen of this very rare bird was shot in a field 

 on the farm of Blackpotts, near Coldingham, in 1848, and 

 was for many years in the collection of Mr. William Patter- 

 son, Abbey Farm, North Berwick, where I have frequently 

 seen it. 



The White Stork occasionally visits the British Islands 

 during the spring and autumn migrations, but has seldom 

 occurred in Scotland. It winters in Africa, and in summer 

 breeds in most of the countries of Europe, where its arrival 

 in spring is looked upon with great pleasure by the inhabit- 

 ants. It migrates by day, and at a great height. Seebohm 

 says that its flight differs somewhat from that of the Heron, 

 the neck being stretched out instead of being folded up until 

 the head comes between the shoulders ; and that, though the 

 legs are stretched out behind, and the neck and bill extended 

 in front, they are not in a straight line as in that bird, but 

 both legs and neck are slightly drooped, so as to form a 

 distinct curve. 



The Stork feeds chiefly on frogs and fish, but lizards, 

 snakes, small animals, young birds, and insects, are all 



