528 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



month ; and when the young are hatched it is very interesting to watch 

 them being fed by their parents, who disgorge half-digested food from their 

 mouths to fill the hungry bills, which, even in the nest, have learnt to 

 " klapper " with excitement. 



The eggs of the Stork are from three to five in number, dull white in 

 colour, rough in texture, and with little gloss. They vary from S'O to 

 2-73 inch in length, and from 2'2 to 2-05 inch in breadth. The eggs of 

 this bird very closely resemble those of the Black Stork, but are on an 

 average larger and, when held up to the light, are yellowish white inside, 

 those of the Black Stork being green. I have an egg of this species, 

 collected by Col. Irby in Spain, which is faintly blotched with pale reddish 

 brown; but these markings may possibly be blood-stains. Only one brood 

 appears to be reared in the year. 



In most countries the Stork is protected and is regarded as a semi- 

 sacred bird, bringing good luck upon the houses where it builds its nest. 

 It is a prominent character in nursery tales of various kinds, and the same 

 kind of stories are told of these birds as of Rooks ; but the " Storchgericht •" 

 is probably as legendary as the "Crows' Court." 



The young in down of the Stork is of a nearly uniform greyish white, 

 with yellowish-green bill and feet. Young in first plumage and birds of the 

 year scarcely diff'er from adults, except that the colour of the bill, legs, and 

 feet is paler and duller. Summer and winter plumage do not difi'er, nor 

 is that of the female distinguishable from that of the male. Adult birds 

 are pure white, except the primaries, the secondaries, the scapulars, and 

 the larger wing-coverts, which are black. Bill, legs, and feet deep scarlet ; 

 claws dark brown ; irides brown; bare space round the eye black. 



Storks moult very slowly, and may be seen changing feathers at all times 

 of the year, except during the breeding-season. The quill- and tail-feathers 

 are only changed once in the year, a process which goes slowly forward in 

 autumn and winter. Most of the small feathers are renewed in autumn, 

 and very many in early spring. 



