480 THE WHITE STORK. 



(B.) AQUATIC BIRDS 



IX. WADEBS.* 



THE legs of these birds are more or less bare of feathers 

 above the knee ; and are so long as to procure for them, from 

 the common people of Germany, the name of Stilt- walkers. I 

 shall enumerate in this place only ten species, which with care 

 and attention may be tamed at any age. 



188. THE WHITE STORK. 



Ciconia alba, Ardea Ciconia, LIN. Cicoyne Blanche, BUF. Der Weisse 

 S torch, BECH. 



Description. This well-known bird, which, from the fact, 

 that it builds on roofs of houses, and other buildings, is in 

 Germany considered as half domesticated, is three feet and a 

 half in length. Its feet and its large strong beak are similar ; 

 the naked circle of the eyes and the pen feathers are black ; 

 and the rest of the plumage a beautiful white. 



Observations. The Stork is a bird of passage, which leaves 

 us at the end of September, and returns at the beginning of 

 April. Its food consists of small fishes, frogs, and other am- 

 phibious animals, mice, weasels, and, among other insects, bees, 

 of which it collects great numbers from the flowers. Its nest 

 consists of a great number of dry twigs, roughly interwoven. It 

 is repaired and occupied by the same couple year after year ; and 

 I have been informed that some nests have been known to remain 

 in the same spots for above a century, in which time many hundred 

 Swallows and Sparrows' nests have collected round them. The 

 connection between male and female lasts during life, and they 

 are models of conjugal fidelity. If the young birds be taken 

 from the nest when half-fledged, and fed with frogs and meat, 

 they will become quite tame, will catch mice and moles in the 

 garden, and may be allowed to fly away, without any fear of their 

 not returning. 



At the period of migration it is advisable to clip their wings, 

 and in winter they should be kept in a warm place, as their feet 

 are very apt to suffer from cold. They will eat anything that 

 comes to table, and express their various emotions and desires by 

 a loud clapping with the bill. It is pleasant to watch a tame 

 Stork returning from its wanderings, circling round and round 

 the house, and at last descending upon it in a long spiral line. 

 * Gralla Sumpfvoegel, BECH. 



