556 ARDEID.E. 



time in the spring of 1830, and one of them was shot. One 

 specimen has heen killed in Scotland, communicated to me 

 by Thomas M. Grant, Esq., and two examples are said to 

 have been killed in Shetland. 



W. B. Fisher, Esq., sent me word that a White Stork 

 was shot at Halvergate, seven miles from Yarmouth in 

 May 1842 ; and Thomas Thornhill, Esq., favoured me with 

 a notice of one killed in Essex during the same month. 



" The White Stork, from its familiarity, and the services 

 which it renders to man in some countries by the destruc- 

 tion of reptiles and the removal of oifal, has ever secured 

 for itself an especial protection, and an exemption from the 

 persecution which is the lot of the less favoured of the fea- 

 thered tribes. Its periodical return to its accustomed sum- 

 mer-quarters to its nest, the home of many generations, 

 has ever been regarded with feelings of pleasure ; and its 

 visits to the habitations of man have not only been per- 

 mitted, but sanctioned with welcome. In various parts of 

 Holland, the nest of this bird, built on the chimney top, 

 remains undisturbed for many succeeding years, and the 

 owners constantly return with unerring sagacity to the 

 well-known spot. The joy which they manifest on again 

 taking possession of their deserted dwelling, and the attach- 

 ment which they testify towards their benevolent hosts, are 

 familiar in the mouths of every one." In Holland particu- 

 larly, in some parts of Germany, and indeed in all countries 

 where it breeds it is protected ; boxes are provided for 

 them on the tops of the houses ; and in several continental 

 cities, he considers himself a fortunate man whose roof the 

 Stork selects for its periodical resting-place. Its nest, 

 formed of a mass of sticks, and other coarse materials, is on 

 some part of the house top, or a tall chimney, a steeple, or 

 an old tower, and sometimes on the summits of the loftiest 



