Storks 155 



always arrange themselves in V-shaped lines, the leader of which is constantly 

 changing. 



Japanese Stork. Very similar to this species is the Japanese Stork (C. 

 boyciana) of eastern Siberia, Korea, and Japan, though it is much larger and has 

 the bill horn-black instead of red, and the spot around the eye vermilion-red 

 instead of black. 



Black Stork. The remaining species of the genus is the Black Stork (C. 

 nigra), a smaller bird than the White, and quite different in habits. The plu- 

 mage is black above, glossed for the most part with a metallic purple, and pure 

 white below. The bill, orbital space, and gular pouch are coral-red ; the legs and 

 feet red; and the iris brown. It is found from southern Europe to Mongolia and 

 China, and south in winter over Africa and the Indian peninsula, being a rare 

 straggler to England. The Black Stork avoids human habitations and makes 

 its home in deep swamps, placing its often very large nest in tall forest trees. 



icy lay usually four eggs, which are grayish white in color. 



Maguari Stork. South America is the home of a fine species known as the 

 Maguari Stork (Euxenura maguari). It is about forty inches in total length 

 md has the plumage white, with the exception of the wings and upper tail- 

 :overts, which are black. The naked spaces about the ear and the feet are red, 

 while the bill is horn-color with a yellowish base. There is a very curious modi- 

 fication of the tail-feathers in this bird, a feature first correctly worked out by 

 Mr. Ridgway. The tail is short and deeply forked, the feathers being very rigid, 

 while the lower coverts are elongated, extending beyond the true tail, and stiffened 

 so as to resemble the true tail-feathers. 



The Maguari is found throughout South America, being especially abundant 

 in Argentina, where, Mr. Hudson says, "it is a well-known bird on the pampas, 

 breeding in the marshes, and also wading for its food in the shallow water; but 

 it is not nearly so aquatic as the Jabiru, and after the breeding season is over it is 

 seen everywhere on the dry plains. Here these birds prey on mice, snakes, and 

 toads, but also frequently visit the cultivated fields in quest of food. Where mice 

 or frogs are exceptionally abundant on the pampas, the Storks often appear in 

 large numbers, and at such times I have seen them congregating by hundreds 

 in the evening beside the water; but in the daytime they scatter over the feeding 

 ground, intent on their prey, with majestic Crane-like strides. To rise they give 

 three long jumps before committing themselves to the air, and like all heavy 

 flyers make a loud noise with their wings." 



White-necked Stork. Allied to the Maguari by the possession of the peculiar 

 forked tail is the White-necked Stork (Dissoura episcopus), w y hich ranges over 

 tropical Africa, the Indo-Chinese countries, and through the Indian and Malay 

 peninsulas to Celebes. It is mainly black above, and on the breast the feathers 

 are glossed with metallic green and purple, while the nape, neck, throat, and 

 abdomen are white. 



Abdim's Stork. Among the true Storks also we may mention Abdim's, or 

 the White-bellied Stork (Abdimia abdimii), a native of tropical Africa and 

 extending thence into Arabia and Spain. In general appearance it is quite 



