THE MARABOU STORK. 277 



The Marabou Stork appears to inhabit nearly the 

 whole of tropical Africa, extending southwards, accord- 

 ing to M. Temminck, to the neighbourhood of the Cape 

 of Good Hope, where, however, it is by no means com- 

 mon. M. Riippel observed it on the banks of the Nile, 

 Major Denhani in the neighbourhood of the large towns 

 of the interior, and Smeathman on the western coast. 

 The plumes imported into Europe are brought chiefly 

 from Senegal. In its habits this bird bears a close 

 resemblance to the White Stork of Europe, but becomes 

 still more familiar, and in consequence of its larger size 

 renders more essential service in the removal of carrion, 

 offal, and other nuisances. This important office, like 

 the Adjutants of Calcutta, it shares with the Vultures; 

 and both birds are universally privileged from all an- 

 noyance, in return for so meritorious an exertion of 

 their natural propensities. They seem to be constantly 

 attracted by the heaps of offensive substances collected 

 in the villages and towns, which they devour without 

 scruple and in immense quantities. The mode in which 

 the Indian bird performs the functions of a scavenger 

 has been repeatedly described by travellers; and Major 

 Denham mentions his having frequently been a witness 

 of the voracious and omnivorous habits of the African. 

 Nothing seems to come amiss to its ravenous appetite, 

 for when carrion is scarce it attacks reptiles, small 

 birds, and even the lesser quadrupeds, which it usually 

 swallows entire. 



These birds are so peaceable in their manners, and 

 so inclined to become familiar, that there is little diffi- 

 culty in taming them. Dr. Latham gives an amusing 

 account, derived from Smeathman, of the behaviour of 

 a young individual which had been brought up in a 

 state of domestication in the part of Africa where that 

 traveller resided. This bird always took its place, 



