82 BIRDS WEB-FOOTED DIAGRAM 4. 



The Storks also feed on mulluscs, which they fish for in the 

 waters; but instead of being wild like the 

 herons, they seem to like the society of man ; 

 they make long journeys, like the cranes, to seek 

 for a warmer climate during the winter, and they 

 return in spring to build their nest in houses and 

 chimneys. They are often seen in the towns 

 and villages of Holland and Alsatia, where the 

 inhabitants often have places arranged for them 

 Stork. on the roo f s O f the houses. Every house is glad 



to posses a nest of storks, and great care is taken not to do them 

 the least injury. They are never hunted and never caught, and it 

 is noticed that the same couple returns every year to take pos- 

 session of the same nest. They are very rare in England. 



ORDER OF WEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 



The Gulls have a powerful flight; they live on the borders of 

 the sea, and make their nests in holes on inaccessible rocks. 

 They have fine white plumage, which makes them very con- 

 spicuous on the wing; and they feed chiefly on fish. When a 

 storm threatens, the gulls fly restlessly backwards and forwards, 

 uttering shrill cries which the sailors well understand. It is not 

 rare to see them carried inland by the wind, and flying in places 

 very far from the sea; but they hasten to return to the coast. 

 When they are fatigued at sea, they rest on the waves; and they 

 can swim as well as they can walk and fly. (Foot of web-footed 

 bird, see p. 64.) 



