STORKS. 279 



to nest by the erection of cradles or other accommodation (often an old cart 

 wheel) erected for their benefit. In most places frequented by the Storks it 

 is considered lucky to have a nest on the premises, and the latter increases 

 in bulk year by year as the birds return to their nesting-places, which 

 are often on the tops of houses. They have a curious habit of sitting 

 motionless for hours together, often on one leg, aa if absorbed in contempla- 

 tion, uttering occasionally their single exclamation, which is produced by the 

 snapping of the mandibles, for they apparently have no true note or call. 



Before migrating to spend the winter months in Africa the Storks often 

 assemble in large flocks, returning to Europe in January and February, and their 

 first halting-place to nest seems to be in the Mediterranean countries, especially 

 in Morocco, where they are strictly protected. Colonel Irby states that he 

 was told by a Frenchman that "in the City of Morocco, as well as at Ftz 

 and some other large towns in the Moorish Empire, there are regular Storks' 

 hospitals, and that should one be injured, or fall from the nest, it is sent to 

 this institution, or rather enclosure, which is kept up by subscription from 

 wealthy Moors, who consider the Stork a sacred bird." The late M. Favier, 

 who lived for some years in Morocco, writes the following note, which gives a 

 very good idea of the migrations of the Stork and its habits in this favoured 

 country. He says: — "The Stork is seen on migration in vast numbers 

 around Tangier passing to Europe during January and February, some of the 

 birds terminating their journey by remaining to breed in Morocco. These are 

 the first to depart south, returning again year after year to the same places, 

 and apparently by the same route as that taken in their gradual departure. 



"Some large flights pass on without stopping; those which migrate in 

 August rest awhile on their way south ; so during the autumnal migration 

 (which lasts, like the spring, for about a month — the latter half of' August 

 and the first part of September) this species is extremely numerous, and 

 ia seen round the environs of Tangier in all directions ; they are very 

 tame, and often follow close behind the plough. 



"The superstition which shelters this bird from molestation by the natives 

 is the belief that the Storks were inspired by Allah to protect the harvest 

 and the country from noxious insects and reptiles, and that the birds 

 themselves (knowing the benefits they confer on man) ask in return 

 protection for their offspring by building their nests on the walls of towns 

 and houses, and that, therefore, anyone who kills them must be a Kaffir, i.e., 

 not a true believer of the Prophet, especially as the birds would only be 

 killed for mischief, and not for food. It may be added that some of the 

 Arabs believe that the Storks originate from a wicked Kadi and his family, 

 who, as a punishment for their great cruelty, were all changed into these 

 birds, and that these miseixMes humble themselves to appease Allah, and in the 

 hope of some day regaining their human form, pray without ceasing day and 

 night, and, whenever they rest, prostrate themselves and clean their bills." 



The White Stork of Europe has a red bill, and is represented in Eastern 

 Siberia and Japan by the Black-billed White Stork {Ciconia boyciana), and 

 in America by the Maguari Stork (Euxenura maguari), which has a greenish 

 bill. The Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) is another European bird which has 

 occasionally visited England. It winters in Africa and in the Indian 

 Peninsula, and, like its white relative, only visits Europe in the summer, 

 when it is also found over Northern Asia. It differs from the White 

 Stork in being a forest bird, but in habits and food it resembles that 

 species. Indeed, in these respects all Storks are very similar. 



