WHITE STOKK 



41 



Stork has of clattering its mandibles in the breeding- 

 season, thereby producing a considerable sound, the bird 

 may be said to be quite voiceless. In captivity I have 

 never heard it emit a note. 



Food. The Stork feeds on almost anything. It paces 

 quietly through the meadows snatching up worms, insects, 

 etc., while small mammals and birds which perchance 

 cross its path, are greedily demolished. It also retires to 

 marshy districts to catch fish and frogs, while at other 

 times it will enter the streets and by-ways and pick up 

 garbage. The parent bird feeds its offspring somewhat 

 after the fashion of pigeons, by inserting its beak into 

 the mouth of the nestling which receives the disgorged 

 food. 



FIG. 9. HEAD OF WHITE STORK. 



Nat. size. 



Nest. "Where encouraged to breed, the White Stork 

 builds on public edifices, such as towers and church belfries 

 in towns, as well as on farm-stacks and in trees close 

 to human habitation. In more hostile districts this species 

 retires to cliffs, lofty rock-ledges, and high trees. The nest 

 is built of sticks, and the original structure is added to 

 yearly. The eggs are milk-white, the yolk is deep orange 

 and the lining membrane yellow. Three to five con- 

 stitute the clutch. 



Incubation begins about the end of March or early in 

 April. 



In the nuptial season Storks may be seen dancing about 

 with extended wings in a most absurd manner, these love- 

 antics may be witnessed in most Zoological Gardens. 



It cannot be said with certainty that the White Stork 



