116 THE STORK, WHITE STORK, SPOONBILL. 



THE STORK. 



Storks are esteemed as destroyers of vermin of various 

 kinds ; their food and habits resemble those already de- 

 scribed as belonging to the order. They migrate in flocks, 

 and are very easily tamed. 



THE COMMON,x OR WHITE STORK, 



Has its plumage of a pure white, excepting the scapulars 

 and wings, which are black : its length is about three feet 

 and a half. It inhabits the temperate climates of the Old 

 Continent, and but rarely visits England. It abounds in 

 many parts of Holland and France, walking familiarly in 

 the streets, and breeding on the house-tops, where it is pro- 

 vided by the inhabitants with boxes : it is very useful in 

 clearing the places it frequents of mice, frogs, &c. The 

 nest is large, and composed of sticks j the female lays from 

 two to four eggs, about the size of a goose's, and of a 

 yellowish white; both parents attend to the training of the 

 young. The storks are birds of passage, leaving Europe 

 at a regular period for a warmer country. Previously to 

 their departure, they assemble in large flocks, with great 

 bustle amongst themselves, and after several excursions, as 

 if to prove their strength, set out at once and in silence. 

 The stork sleeps upon one leg, and before the time of 

 his migrations, makes a strange snapping noise with its 

 beak. The flesh is unfit for food. Many idle stories have 

 been told of the filial attachment, &c. of the stork : but 

 they appear fabrications. 



THE RHINOCEROS HORNBILL, 



A native of Java, is about the size of the hen turkey, but 

 of a more slender shape. The colour is black, excepting 

 on the lower part of the ab iornai and the tip of the ta.l 



