298 SHAKESPEARE’S [sToRK. 
[Stork. ] 
[The word is not actually used by Shakespeare, but the 
account of the bird is interesting.] 
A Stork is a water-fowl, and purgeth herself with her 
own bill; for when she feeleth herself grieved with much 
meat, she taketh sea-water in her bill, and putteth it in at 
her hinder hole, and so into her guts. Also this bird 
eateth eggs of adders and serpents, and beareth them for 
best meat to her birds. And they leave not lightly their 
first nest, except they be compelled. But ere they go into 
other countries against winter, they fill their nests with 
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earth, and draw the twigs and thorns of their nests with 
fen, that no tempest of wind should break it nor throw it 
down in winter. While the female liveth the male keepeth 
truly to her in nest. And if the male espy in any wise, 
that the female hath broke spousehead, she shall no more 
dwell with him, but he beateth and striketh her with his 
bill, and slayeth her if he may. Storks fly over the sea 
in flocks, and in their passing crows fly with them, and 
