White Stork. 409 



it was in remembrance of the affectionate solicitude it evinced 

 on this occasion that the gift was bestowed upon it of bringing 

 peace and happiness to the roof where it was allowed undis- 

 turbed to rear its young. 



This attribute is also equally assigned to it by the inhabitants 

 of Germany, but whether resulting from a similar legend to that 

 accepted in Sweden, or from some other conceit, I am unable to 

 determine. 



It has also been fortunate enough to secure the good- will of 

 the Crescent as well as of the Cross, for in the East it is protected 

 by the Mahommedans ; in the first place probably from a recog- 

 nition of its value in consuming the refuse and garbage of the 

 streets, and since then as a bird of good omen, which it would be 

 not only impious but dangerous to molest ; and so its nest may 

 be seen on the mosque towers and other buildings, and its 

 selection of them hailed by the owners with delight, just as in 

 Europe. In some German villages, especially in Bavaria, I have 

 seen an old cart-wheel firmly fixed on the top of a house, and a 

 very tempting site it appeared to be in the eye of the Storks, to 

 uphold the mass of sticks which forms the foundation of the nest. 



It is so frequently seen on the Continent by every tourist, and 

 its fearlessness permits such close observation, that it will be 

 needless to describe its appearance. It is migratory, arriving in 

 Europe in the spring, and retiring to Africa, where I have met 

 with it in large flocks, in winter, fishing on the shallows and 

 sand-banks of the Nile. When at rest, it stands upon one leg, 

 with the neck bent backwards, the head resting on the back, and 

 the beak resting on the breast : and when alarmed, it is apt to 

 snap the mandibles of its beak together with a loud clattering 

 noise. I have the authority of Yarrell for stating that an indi- 

 vidual of this species has been killed near Salisbury. I have 

 also a newspaper notice of an immature bird, supposed to have 

 flown over from Holland, shot in August, ] 789, by Mr. Selfe, as 

 it was seen feeding in a meadow, near Downton; so that a 

 hundred years ago it was considered of sufficient rarity to deserve 

 special notice in print. But the Rev. A. P. Morres is able to 



