CXXI. 



CICONIA ALBA. (Bellon. 



White Stork. 



The Stork which on the various parts of the Continent, 

 where it breeds, is held as sacred, as the Ibis was, by the 

 Egyptians, is in consequence, everywhere, so strictly pro- 

 tected, that it is very difficult to obtain its eggs. 



The Storks begin to appear about their breeding places 

 in the middle of March, unless the season is very cold and 

 backward ; these are in the very heart of some of the towns 

 of Holland and Germany, and the situation of the nest upon 

 the tops of their towers, chiuches, and outbuildings, upon 

 many of which boxes are placed for their acconnnodation. 

 Mr. Hoy who has seen them upon a cart-wheel elevated on 

 the top of a strong pole, for that purpose, says that they 

 also, though seldom, build in lofty trees. 



The nest, in consequence of its accumulating from year to 

 year, becomes very large; it is composed externally of large 

 sticks, becoming smaller towards the inside, and is, some- 

 times, lined with pieces of wool or the dry stems of plants 

 mixed with the smaller sticks. The eggs, which are origin- 

 ally white, or slightly tinted with cream-colour, soon become 

 soiled and dirty; they are from three to four in number, 

 Mr. Hoy says rarely if ever five. 



For the egg from which the di'awing is made, I am indebt- 

 ed to the kindness of Mr. John Hancock, of Newcastle. 



