322 THE STORK. 



authority, lately took place near Smyrna. Some lien's eggs 

 were placed in a Stork's nest, and the others removed. The 

 female Stork, not aware of the change, sat patiently the 

 appointed number of days, till the shells were broken, and 

 the young chickens made their appearance. No sooner were 

 they seen by the old birds, than they testified their surprise 

 by harsh notes and fierce looks, and after a short pause, they 

 jointly fell on the unfortunate chickens, and pecked them 

 to pieces, as if conscious of the disgrace which might be 

 disposed to attach to a dishonoured nest. Whether the female 

 suffered afterwards, we do not know. We shall see, however, 

 by the following, that the expected consequences of such a 

 discovery might well account for the horror and indignation 

 manifested by the wondering parents. 



A French surgeon, at Smyrna, wishing to procure a Stork, 

 and finding great difficulty, on account of the extreme 

 veneration in which they are held by the Turks, stole all the 

 eggs out of a nest, and replaced them with those of a hen : 

 in process of time the young chickens came forth, much to 

 the astonishment of Mr. and Mrs. Stork. In a short time 

 Mr. S. went off, and was not seen for two or three days, 

 when he returned with an immense crowd of his companions, 

 who all assembled in the place, and formed a circle, taking 

 no notice of the numerous spectators, which so unusual an 

 occurrence had collected. Mrs. Stork was brought forward 

 into the midst of the circle, and after some consultation, the 

 whole flock fell upon her, and tore her to pieces ; after which 

 they immediately dispersed, and the nest was entirely 

 abandoned. 



The following, in many respects, similar case, occurred on 

 the estate of a gentleman of large landed property near 

 Berlin, and is a valuable corroboration of what might, to 

 many, appear as unworthy of credit. A pair of Storks built 

 a nest on one of the chimneys of his mansion; having a 

 curiosity to inspect it, the owner climbed up, and found in it 

 one egg, which being about the size of a goose egg, was 

 replaced by one belonging to that bird. The Storks seemed 

 not to notice the exchange, but no sooner was the egg 



