456 ' W HI TE AND BLACK STORK. 



refpefted were they in old times by the Thejfalians, that to kill one 

 of thefe birds was a crime expiable only by death *. 



The Storks obferve great exaftnefs in the time of their autumnal 

 departure from Europe to more favorable climates. They pafs a fe- 

 cond fummer in Egypt, and the marlhes of Barhary f : in the firft 

 they pair, and lay again, and educate a fecond brood J. Before each 

 of their migrations they rendezvous in amazing numbers ; are for a 

 while much in motion among themfelves ; and after making feve- 

 ral fhort flights, as if to try their wings, all of a Hidden take 

 flight with great filence, and with, fuch fpeed, as in a moment to 

 attain fo great a height as to be infcantaneoufly out of fight. The 

 beautiful and faithful defcription which the Naturalist's Poet || 

 gives of this' annual event, ought not by any means to be omitted. 



Where the Rhine lofes his majeftic force 



In Belgian plains, won from the raging deep 



By diligence amazing, and the Ilrong 



Unconquerable hand of Liberty, 



The Stork-assembly meets ; for many a day 



Confulting deep and various, ere they take 



Their arduous voyage thro' the liquid fky. 



And now, their route defign'd, their leaders chofe. 



Their tribes adjufted, clean'd their vigorous wings J , 



And many a circle, many a ftiort effay, 



Wheel'd round and round, in congregation full 



The figur*d flight afcends, and riding high 



The aerial billows, mixes with the clouds^ 



D« Black Stork. Ardea nigra. Odenfwala, Faun. Suec. N° \6y— Latham, iii. 

 La Cigogne noire, Be Buff on, vii. i-]\,—Pl.Enl. 399. 



U"^ With the bill, legs, and flcin, red: head, neck, body, and wings, 

 black, glofled with blue : breaft and belly white. About the 

 Size of the former. 



• Pliny, lib. jc. c. 23. f Shaiuh Trav. 428. J Belon Oyf. 201. 



jl Thomson. 



Inhabits 



