6 9 



Common Heron (A rdea cinerea), Page 40. The herons are a 

 large family, being represented by about 70 species ; they are found 

 in all parts of the world, except in the extreme north. Thtir nests 

 are large structures, and the number of eggs laid varies from 3 to 6. 

 It is a European bird. 



Great American Egret (Aidea cgrctta). Page 41. This bird 

 belongs to the heron tribe. Much has lately been written upon its 

 behalf, owing to the vast numbers which are anually slaughtered for 

 the sake of their plumes. These are known in the commercial world 

 as "aigrettes," and as they only appear in the breeding season, their 

 wholesale destruction is to be deplored. 



STORKS. 



"White Stork (Ciconia alba), Page 42. This stork ranges over the 

 whole of Europe, except the extreme north. It does not shun the 

 habitations of man, being only too glad to make use of the nest- 

 ing boxes, which in Holland and Germany are so frequently placed 

 for them upon the house-tops. As the storks invariably return to the 

 same nest, year after year, and add fresh material to the structure 

 every season, these soon become of considerable proportions: 



Jabiru \.vr\i(Mycteriaa.mcricana) t Page 43. This bird is a native 

 of Brazil, where it is usually found in pairs. Being a rare and shy 

 bird, little is known of its habits. 



Adjutant Mork (Leptoptilus argala), Page 44. At once the 

 largest and ugliest of the storks, this bird is remarkable for the large 

 naked inflatable pouch upon the throat. In India it serves the useful 

 purpose of a scavenger, and in some cities, notably Calcutta, receives 

 the protection of the law. Another of the adjutants, but differing 

 somewhat in the colouring of the plumage is the Marabou Stork, 

 Page 45 (Leptoptilus crumeniferus) of Africa. 



The Glossy Ibis (Plcgadis falcinellus), Page 46. The Glossy 

 Ibis is a visitor to the British Islands on rare occasions, but it has a 

 tvide range, being found in Europe, Asia, North America, Australia, 

 and at times in the northern part of Africa. The plumage is of a dark 

 metallic colour, which in a strong light reflects a purple tinge. 



Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), Page 47. The spoonbill 

 obviously gets its name from the curious spoon -shaped bill which it 

 possesses. Very many years back it used to breed in England, but now 

 it is only the rarest of visitors. It has a wide range, being found in 

 Europe, parts of Siberia, China, India, and North Africa. The eggs 

 are usually 4 in number. 



European Flamingoes (Phcenicopterusroseus), Page 48. The 

 flamingoes are represented by nine species. Although essentially 

 wading birds, yet they are expert swimmers. They congregate in 

 immense flocks, often numbering some tensof thousands. When flying, 

 their necks and legs are stretched out in a straight line. Their nests 

 are formed of mud, in which their 2 eggs are laid. 



American Swan (Cygnus atnericanus\ Page 49. The swans 

 are birds i f large size, the plumage generally being white, although 

 the Au>tralian black swan forms a striking exception. Their food 

 consists of the roots and stems of water-plants as well as insects, 

 and their nest, which are made on the ground, usually contain from 

 4 to 8 eggs. The photograph is of the Noith American Swan. 



