Storks & Cranes 235 



A really lovely sight is the vernal migration of 

 battalions of storks, as they wend their way from the 

 Soudan along the course of the Nile from about the 

 end of February to the end of March. 



A first vanguard passed over Assouan on the 22nd 

 of February 1899, composed of perhaps two or three 

 hundred birds. 



And all through March, about every fourth or fifth 

 day, companies would come wheeling from the south, 

 on their way to their nesting-homes in Europe and 

 Asia. 



But on the 2oth of March of the year I was up 

 the Nile, the whole sky over Assouan was, as far as 

 the eye could see,* southwards and northwards, filled 

 with countless hundreds of these birds. 



Against the wonderful brilliancy of the Egyptian 

 sky, battalion after battalion, company after company, 

 came wheeling along, their red legs and bills against 

 the azure background, and their shining white plum- 

 age, with the broad black pinions, showing out in 

 strongest contrast of colours. They did not always fly 

 at any very great height ; indeed, many were below 

 the level of the surrounding hills. 



Neither did they fly straight ahead, but wheeled 

 and sailed in magnificent curves and circles, crossing 

 and recrossing each other, several hundreds flying one 

 way ; and others, another. 



The effect was enhanced by the absolute silence 

 that reigned amongst them, which lent dignity to an 

 already dignified procession. 



Storks are mute vocally, and give vent to a call by 



