CLASS AYES: ORDEK HERODIONES. 



147 



that in probing deep into the bogs and moist turf, they may 

 detect the worms and larvae-. Their upper feathers mimic 

 well the herbage beneath them, and their eyes are placed so 

 far back, that, like the Giraffe, their range of vision meets 

 behind the head. 



Fig. SIS. 



ORDER HERODIONES. 



General Characteristics. — The Herons, Storks, Ibises, 

 etc., are generally of large size, with long, S-hent necks, and 

 tufts of matted feathers (powder-down) on both sides of the 

 breast and rump. In flying, they double their neck and 

 stretch back their legs. The latter serve as a rudder, their 

 short tail being unfitted for this office. 



Ciconiidse. — The WMte Stork of Europe (see Fig. 253) is 

 exceedingly useful, feeding upon garbage and noxious crea- 

 tures. It is easily tamed, and its sagacity is marvellous. * 



Plataleidse.— The 

 Roseate Spoonbill of the 

 South is the only rep- 

 resentative of this fam- 

 ily in the United States. 

 It breeds the second 

 year, but does not attain 

 its perfect plumage un- 

 til the fourth or fifth. 

 It is then a beautiful 

 rose color, with carmine 



wing and tail-coverts, PlatcOla ajc^a, Roseate S^oonKU. ,v 



head naked with golden-yellow skin shading into glossy 

 black around the top of the neck, and with patches of rich 

 buff on each side of the breast and upper part of the tail. 



* A tame stork has beeu known to join children playing hide and peek, run when 

 touched and to distinguish the child whose turn it was to pursue the rest so well as 

 to be on its guard along with the others. The Germans and Dutch esteem it a good 

 omen when a stork builds its coarse nest of sticks on their house-top. Innumerable 

 stories are current among different nations, ascribing to the stork gratitude, chastity, 

 parental affection, conjugal fidelity and filial piety. In the Tyrol, for example, a 

 male stork refused to migrate, and passed several winters with his mate, who, being 

 wounded, could not fly.- 



