I0 6 THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



Plovers, Lapwings, Cranes, Herons, Spoonbills, 

 Storks, Snipes, Bails, &c. 



The Stork is very common on the Continent, and in 

 some countries has been held sacred on account of its 

 services in destroying vermin. In India, one of this 

 family, called the " Argala," or Pouched Adjutant, 

 not only devours, but carries off, in a large pouch situated 

 in front of the throat, immense quantities of offal and 

 carrion ; and can swallow a leg of mutton, a hare, or a 

 fowl at a mouthful. Sir Everard Home found in the 

 pouch of one of these birds a land-tortoise ten inches 

 long, a putrefied black cat, and various other little 

 matters. 



From this bird, and an allied species called the 

 " Marabou of Africa," are obtained the exquisitely 

 beautiful plumes called " Marabou feathers." 



One species of the Stork family is the Sacred Ibis, 

 which was so universally worshipped in Egypt. Some 

 writers have thought that it was held sacred because it 

 destroyed serpents ; but the real reason seems to be that 

 it appeared at the season when the Nile was about over- 

 flowing its banks, from which Egypt derived its fertility; 

 and the arrival of the Ibis seemed to herald the coming 

 of the blessings of fruitfulness and plenty. 



The Bails seem to unite the waders with the 

 swimmers, for we find that some of them, such as the 

 Coot, can swim and dive ; so can the Moor-hen. 



Amongst the stilt-birds must also be ranked the 

 Flamingoes. The legs of these extraordinary birds 

 surpass in length any of the waders, and they are 

 web-footed. The body is very small, and the neck 

 equally long with the legs. The beak is long and bent. 

 The Flamingo lays her eggs on a mound which she raises, 

 and then sits on them as if on horseback. 



Natatores, or Swimmers sometimes called " Palmi- 



