46 GRALLATORES. CICONTA. STORK. 
the northern parts of Russia. * Upon the continent of Europe 
it is a strict periodical visitant, arriving in spring, and, after 
fulfilling the duties imposed on the reproduction of the 
species, departing in the autumn with great exactness as to 
time, to pass the period of our winter in the warmer climates 
of Asia and Africa. In Holland (and indeed in all coun- 
tries where it breeds), the Stork is taken under especial pro- 
tection by the inhabitants for the service it performs in clear- 
ing the country of reptiles and noxious vermin; and every fa- 
cility is afforded to it for securely rearing its young ; and for 
this purpose, in Holland, and in some parts of Germany, 
boxes or platforms are placed upon the roofs of the houses in 
the different towns and villages, or false chimneys with flat 
tops, erected upon the out-houses, as sites for the nests. In 
consequence of such kind treatment, and the naturally social 
disposition of the bird, it is very familiar, and may often be seen 
walking quite undaunted along the dikes and margins of the 
canals, solely intent on picking up whatever food it may dis- 
cover. In some towns, Storks are frequently taken when young 
and domesticated, and these are kept in the fish, and other 
markets, to devour the offal, and thereby prevent the accumu- 
lation of filth, which would otherwise necessarily happen. 
Such I met with in Amsterdam, and some other towns in 
Holland; and this office of scavenger they certainly per- 
Nest, &c. formed with great efficiency.—The nest of the Stork is formed 
of sticks and twigs, afranged in the boxes provided for them, 
or placed upon the tops of chimneys or other elevated parts 
of buildings, and sometimes upon the top of the decayed 
stump of a tree. The eggs are from three to five in num- 
ber, nearly equal in size to those of a goose, of a cream- 
colour, or a yellowish-white. After a month’s incubation the 
young are hatched, and, with great care, attended and 
watched alternately by the parents until fully fledged and 
able to provide for themselves. Previous to the autumnal 
migration (which, in Europe, happens in the last week of 
August or the beginning of September), these birds congregate 
* appears from 2 letter of MiunHtoch Mae Munrorgh long 
des: Jltr, Lip. Nere.2. L thr lard fiom lrone (Gwen be 
bivaldes gees hepeitpper Shifts joes Wes pradey Fn lous bark 
ashe Ak I of Keser Kolar beg pate en De ae bherilh. Sante 
