109 



clamorous indignation of his companions, who follow 

 him, struggling to retain his prey, with loud complaints 

 and vigorous attempts to make him disgorge. The 

 common soldiers, who are fond of deriving amusement 

 from the epicurean propensities of this bird, have a 

 very successful way of making him a prisoner on dis- 

 cretion for some time. They append a piece of flesh 

 to the end of a rope, and throw it in the air ; the flesh 

 is swallowed without scruple, and the poor bird, un- 

 willing to disgorge his food, though the price at which 

 he purchases it is his liberty, is thus compelled to walk 

 in procession, and swell the triumph of his conqueror. 

 The ludicrous appearance of the adjutant in this situ- 

 ation is scarcely imaginable. His walk, at all times 

 staid and majestic, is now peculiarly, solemn : he looks 

 like a knight-errant of ancient chivalry, unarmed and 

 in chains, deprived of every thing but his sturdy pride, 

 which even now permits him to defy his conquerors 

 with contemptuous gaze. This singular bird sleeps 

 amidst shallow waters, to which it retires to be safe 

 from the attacks of beasts of prey : as soon, however, 

 as the dawn promises the joyful return of the military 

 breakfast, they issue from their aquatic dormitories, 

 and with clamorous importunity wing their way to 

 the barracks, where they stalk in solemn grandeur till 

 the offals are distributed, or they succeed in their pre- 

 datory attempts on some viand insufficiently protected 

 against their marauding practices." 



The white stork (ciconia alba of Ray) is the most 

 interesting of the species, and its aptitude as a selected 

 point in sacred writ will be found in its natural history. 

 Its biography comprises a history of usefulness and 

 affection. When its food, such as insects and reptiles, 

 disappears, and the brumal months draw on apace, the 

 subject of our remarks seek a more temperate clime, 



