THE WHITE STORK. 21 



frequented places. It stalks perfectly at its ease along 

 the busy streets of the most crowded town, and seeks 

 its food on the banks of rivers or in fens in close 

 vicinity to his abode. In numerous parts of Holland 

 its nest, 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 posses- 

 sion of their deserted dwelling, and the attachment 

 which they testify towards their benevolent hosts, are 

 familiar in the mouths of every one. Their atfection 

 for their young is one of the most remarkable traits 

 in their character. It is almost superfluous to repeat 

 the history of the female which, at the conflagration of 

 Delft, after repeated and unsuccessful attempts to carry 

 off her young, chose rather to perish with them in 

 the general ruin than to leave them to their fate : and 

 there are many other and well authenticated proofs of 

 a similar disposition. They generally lay from two to 

 four eggs, of a dingy yellowish white, rather longer 

 than those of the goose, but not so broad. The incu- 

 bation lasts for a month, the male sharing in the task 

 during the absence of the female in search of food. 

 When the young birds are hatched, they are carefully 

 fed by their parents, who watch over them with the 

 closest anxiety. As soon as they become capable of 

 flying, the parents exercise them in it by degrees, 

 cariying them at first upon their own wings, and then 

 conducting them in short circular flights around their 

 nest. 



When in search of food the Stork is commonly seen, 

 in its usual attitude of repose, standing upon one leg, 

 with its long neck bent backwards, its head resting on 

 its shoulder, and its eye steadily fixed. Its motions are 

 slow and measured, the length of its steps corresponding 

 with that of its legs. In flight its head and neck are 



