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THE STORK. 



If we observe the stork externally only, it may very 

 easily be confounded with the crane, though the latter 

 is ash and black, and the former is white and brown ; 

 yet as the neck, legs, and body, have the same ap- 

 pearance, it is no wonder the mistake has frequently 

 been made. The crane, however, has a piercing voice, 

 whilst the stork never utters any sound, though it pro- 

 duces a singular noise by striking the upper and lower 

 jaw. The crane feeds upon corn and vegetables, whilst 

 the stork prej's upon frogs, serpents, birds, and fish : 

 the former lays but two eggs, but the latter generally 

 four ; and is fond of residing near populous places, 

 whilst the crane endeavours to remain concealed. 



Storks are birds of passage, like the former ; but, as 

 they travel by night, their flight is concealed ; they 

 all assemble on a particular day, and not one of the 

 party is ever left behind. They generally return to 

 Europe about the middle of March, and form their 

 nests on the top of chimnies or houses ; are extremely 

 attentive and careful of their young, and seldom trust 

 them out of their sight. 



The Egyptians had so high a veneration for this 

 bird, that they paid it honours which ought only to 

 have been divine. It is usually supposed that the an- 

 cient ibis is the same with that which goes at present 

 by this name ; it is a bird of the stork-kind, about the 

 size of a curlew, and entirely black ; with a bill which 

 terminates in a point that enables it to seize its de- 

 structive prey, which consists of locusts, caterpillars, 

 and serpents, with which that country so particularly 

 abounds, 



