The Black Stork. 43 



lurking place. But the Stork does not gorge its prey instantly like the Cormorant ; 

 on the contrary, it retires to the margin of the pool, and there disables its prey 

 by shaking and beating with its bill before it ventures to swallow it. I never 

 observed this bird attempt to swim ; but it will wade up to the belly, and 

 occasionally thrust the whole head and neck under water after its prey." 



The nest of the Black Stork is often very large and composed of dried sticks, 

 lined with smaller twigs, and with grass or moss, and in it are deposited eggs 

 varying in number from three to six, similar in colour to those of the White 

 Stork, but green inside when the shell is viewed by transmitted light. After 

 about a month's incubation the chicks are hatched, and they are covered with a 

 greyish yellow down, which gives place to plumage which differs only from the 

 adult's in having but little of its metallic gloss, and many of the head, neck, and 

 wing-coverts are spotted with white, while the bill, legs, and feet, instead of being 

 bright scarlet, are bluish olive green. The young birds are said to leave the nest 

 earlier than in the case of the White Stork. 



The Black Stork arrives in the early summer from its southern winter quarters, 

 and departs again late in the autumn, never remaining in Europe over the winter. 

 Mr. Styan, however, states that it is to be seen during the winter in China, 

 generally singly, or in twos and threes, and sometimes in company with the 

 Common Heron. Canon Tristram observed it in small flocks all through the 

 winter on the plains of the Dead Sea. Except during migration, it is not, Mr. 

 Seebohm says, gregarious, and it is more shy and cautious, especially in the 

 breeding season, than its cousin. 



The Black Stork is a long-lived bird even in captivity, where it has been 

 known to have been detained for thirty years. 



