CICONIDJS. 729 



Fam. Ciconid^), Storks. 



Ciconinee, Gray, Blyth. 



Bill very large and stout, lengthened, straight, or slightly 

 ascending, and with the lower mandible sub-recurved, smooth, 

 without a groove, less cleft than in the Herons ; nostrils linear, 

 near the base of the culmen ; wings long, 2nd and 3rd, or 3rd 

 and 4th quills longest ; tail short ; tarsus usually reticulate with 

 hexagonal scales ; all the anterior toes joined at the base by 

 membrane : hallux resting on the ground for part of its length ; 

 claws blunt. Of large size. 



The Storks differ from the Herons in many points, but they may 

 be readily distinguished by their large size,, bulky form, stouter 

 and smoother bill, and by always having a web between the 

 inner and middle toes, as well as the outer web. They have a rather 

 muscular gizzard, moderately long intestines, and two minute coeca. 

 Their lower larynx has no proper muscles, and they consequently 

 emit no sound except by striking the mandibles together. The 

 Storks have a peculiar mechanism of the knee joint, by which they 

 are enabled to rest on one leg without fatigue. The sternum 

 is short and wide, with only one emargination, narrowing 

 upwards. 



Some of the Storks are migratory and gregarious, others 

 solitary. They breed on lofty trees or on house-tops, and lay two 

 to four whitish eggs. 



The first genus contains some of the Giants of the Bird Kingdom. 



Gen. Leptoptilos, Lesson. 



Syn. Argala, Leach. — Osteorophea, Hodgson. 



Char. — Bill enormous, much thickened ; head more or less 

 nude ; wing-coverts long, broad ; under tail-coverts long, soft, 

 somewhat decomposed. Of very large size. 



The gigantic Storks, or Adjutants as they are called in India, 

 are found in the hotter regions of the Old World. They devour 

 carrion of all kinds, as well as fish, reptiles, Crustacea, &c, and 

 serve the purpose of Scavengers in some of our large cities. 

 Some have a large pouch in front. 



There are two species in India. 



PART II. 4 Z 



