312 HISTORY OF 



tbe stork also are very peculiar ; not being clawed like tboss ot 

 other birds, but flat like the nails of a man. 



These, however, are but very slight difTerences ; and its true 

 distinctions are to be taken rather from its manners than its 



modiate neighboiirhnod of the most frequented plares. It stalks perfectly 

 at its ease along the busy streets fif the most crowded town, and seeks its 

 food on the banks of rivers or in fens in close vicinity to his abode. In nume. 

 rous parts of Holland its nest, built on the cbimney-top, remains undisturbed 

 for many succeeding years, and the owners constantly return with unerring- 

 sagacity to the well known spot. Tlie joy which they manifest on again 

 taking possession of their deserted dwelling, and the attaclmieut which they 

 testify towards their benevolent hosts, are familiar in the mouths of every 

 one. Their affection for their yoimg is one of the most remarkable traits in 

 their character. It is almost superfluous to repeat the history of the female 

 which, at the conflagration of Delft, after repeated and unsuccessful attempts 

 to carry off her young, chose rather to perish with them in the general ruin 

 than to leave them to their fate : and there are many other and well authen- 

 ticated proofs of a similar disposition. They generally lay from two to four 

 egg."!, of a dingy yello«'ish white, rather longer than those of the goose, but 

 not so broad. The incubation lasts for a month, the male sharing in the task 

 during the absence of the female in search of food. When the young birds 

 are hatched, they are carefully fed by their parents, ivho watch over them 

 with the closest anxiety. As soon as they become capable of flying, the pa- 

 rents exercise them in it by degrees, carrying them at first upon their own 

 wings, and then conducting them in short circular flights around their nest. 



When in search of food, the stork is commonly seen in its usual attitude 

 of repose, standing upon one leg, «'ith its long neck bent backwards, its head 

 resting on its shoulder, and its eye steadily fixed. Its motions are slow and 

 measured, the length of its steps corresponding with that of its legs. In 

 flight its head and neck are directed straight forwards, and its legs extended 

 backAvards; an awkward and apparently constrained position, but that 

 which is best calculated for enabling it to cleave the air with rapidity. The 

 large extent of its wings and the comparative lightness of its body are also 

 admirably adapted to the lofty pitch at which it flies, and to its long conti- 

 nuance upon the wing. 



The storks generally migrate about the beginning of August, and the pre- 

 parations for their departure usually occupy several weeks. They appear 

 gradually to assemble in one spot from the whole of the surrounding district 

 to the number of many hundreds, making when they meet that peculiar 

 clattering with their beaks, which appears to serve them in the place of 

 voice. As soon as their number is completed the entire body mount at once 

 into the air, without noise or confusion, and are speedily lost sight of in tlie 

 loftiness of their flight. Their departure has rarely been witnessed by 

 scientific observers ; and many incredible stories liave consequently been 

 told respecting it. They return to Europe in smaller bands in the months 

 of March and April. Those which remain in the more northern countries 

 during the winter, either tamed or in captivity, in which state they appear 

 perfectly contented, do not seem to sufl'er in the least from the severity ot 

 the weather. 



