116 WHITE STOEK. 



removal of all sorts of otherwise obnoxious and deleterious 

 substances. 



This bird, conscious, as it were, of its usefulness, and relying 

 on its immunity from harm, walks about with fearless con- 

 fidence along the' busy streets of the most populous towns, 

 and forages for itself in the thronged market-places. Meyer 

 says, 'A very curious anecdote was recorded some years ago 

 in a German newspaper, which strongly illustrates the wonderful 

 parental affection of this species for their young. A house, on 

 the top of which was a Stork's nest, containing young birds, 

 took fire. In the midst of the conflagration, the old birds 

 were seen flying to and from the nest, and plunging into a 

 neighbouring piece of water, in which they soaked their 

 feathers, and returning again and again to the nest, sprinkled 

 the water over their young in such abundance, that they 

 not only preserved their young ones, but saved from destruction 

 that part of the building on which the nest was situated.' 



'There is a great deal of tender attachment manifested by 

 the Stork towards its mate and young brood, which extends 

 itself to its protectors and keepers when in a state of 

 confinement or domestication. But if a bird of this species 

 is ill-treated or insulted, it will revenge itself on the first 

 opportunity; and if hurt, it will fight manfully, and stand 

 to its cause with its life. The blows of the powerful beak 

 of the Stork are not to be trifled with, and are generally 

 well directed and dangerous; the eyes of its antagonist being 

 aimed at with great precision.' 



Selby writes, 'Previous to the autumnal migration, which, 

 in Europe, happens the last week in August or the beginning 

 of September, these birds congregate in immense flocks, and, 

 as if to try the strength of pinion of the recently-produced 

 brood, make several short excursions, and are much in motion 

 among themselves. After these trials of capability, they 

 suddenly take flight, rise high into the air, and wing their 

 way with great swiftness to the distant climes in which they 

 pass our hyemal months; and where, it is said, they 

 sometimes produce a second brood.' 



Storks, as may be supposed, are easily to be kept in 

 confinement. In Holland they are treated with even super- 

 stitious attention, and are never molested or injured. 



Their chosen localities are low and watery pasture lands, 

 intersected by dykes and drains, or bordered by rivers, canals, 

 and lakes. 



