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and returns northward in the genial period of spring. 

 It passes its winter in North Africa, or Egypt, chiefly 

 in the latter ; from whence it migrates during summer 

 to France, Holland, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, 

 and Poland, rarely to England or to Russia. Like the 

 heron, it is a very picturesque creature : poised on one 

 leg, it is the very death-like attitude of breathless re- 

 pose, and the image of graceful thought. Its step is 

 slow, solemn, and measured, moving in conscious 

 elegance. These birds leave Europe about the be- 

 ginning of August, and the " note of preparation " 

 occupies several weeks' consideration in deliberate and 

 legislative assemblage ; the period arrived, the collec- 

 tive body, to the number of many hundreds, mount at 

 once into the air, and are soon lost to observation in 

 the majesty of their flight. In the months of March 

 and April they return to Europe in smaller bands. 



These interesting creatures have ever been regarded 

 with kindly and welcome feelings ; and the trust they 

 repose in man, while it merits his protection, seems not 

 misplaced. Thus the stork, in some towns of Holland, 

 may be seen walking at his ease, and undismayed at 

 the presence of man, along the busy streets of a 

 crowded town ; and obtaining its food on the verge of 

 rivers, canals, or fens. They are not only passively 

 harmless, but positively useful ; and even the hallowed 

 charm of moral virtue invests them. In ancient Egypt 

 the stork was esteemed sacred; second only to the 

 ibis, and was shrined among the divinities of that land 

 of gods. Congenial feelings are kindled in its favour 

 wherever it takes up its residence, whether in Africa 

 or the East, Switzerland or Holland : in the latter it 

 builds on the house-top, amid the din and bustle of 

 population, or else selects the summits of the loftiest 

 trees* Their house-top nest in Holland remains undis- 



