46 GRALLATORES. CICONIA. STORK. 



the northern parts of Russia. Upon the continent of Europe 

 it is a strict periodical visitant, arriving in spring, and, after 

 fulfilling the duties imposed on the reproduction of the 

 species, departing in the autumn with great exactness as to 

 time, to pass the period of our winter in the warmer climates 

 of Asia and Africa. In Holland (and indeed in all coun- 

 tries where it breeds), the Stork is taken under especial pro- 

 tection by the inhabitants for the service it performs in clear- 

 ing the country of reptiles and noxious vermin ; and every fa- 

 cility is afforded to it for securely rearing its young ; and for 

 this purpose, in Holland, and in some parts of Germany, 

 boxes or platforms are placed upon the roofs of the houses in 

 the different towns and villages, or false chimneys with flat 

 tops, erected upon the out-houses, as sites for the nests. In 

 consequence of such kind treatment, and the naturally social 

 disposition of the bird, it is very familiar, and may often be seen 

 walking quite undaunted along the dikes and margins of the 

 canals, solely intent on picking up whatever food it may dis- 

 cover. In some towns, Storks are frequently taken when young 

 and domesticated, and these are kept in the fish, and other 

 markets, to devour the offal, and thereby prevent the accumu- 

 lation of filth, which would otherwise necessarily happen. 

 Such I met with in Amsterdam, and some other towns in 

 Holland ; and this office of scavenger they certainly per- 

 Nest, &c. formed with great efficiency. The nest of the Stork is formed 

 of sticks and twigs, arranged in the boxes provided for them, 

 or placed upon the tops of chimneys or other elevated parts 

 of buildings, and sometimes upon the top of the decayed 

 stump of a tree. The eggs are from three to five in num- 

 ber, nearly equal in size to those of a goose, of a cream- 

 colour, or a yellowish-white. After a month's incubation the 

 young are hatched, and, with great care, attended and 

 watched alternately by the parents until fully fledged and 

 able to provide for themselves. Previous to the autumnal 

 migration (which, in Europe, happens in the last week of 

 August or the beginning of September), these birds congregate 



