38 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



in the form of an exceedingly fine powder, but it is 

 not known what purpose this powder serves, although 

 there are many theories in regard to it. 



Storks, Spoonbills, and Ibises 



Though very like the Herons in habits and general 

 shape, the Storks differ from them in many anatomical 

 characters. There are a number of species, perhaps 

 the best known being the White Stork of Europe. In 

 colour it is rather striking, the plmnage being white 

 over the body, the wings tipped with black, the bill 

 and legs a bright red. Although so large a bird, stand- 

 ing four feet in height, this Stork is a powerful flyer, 

 making yearly trips to Africa across the Mediter- 

 ranean during the migrating season. Unlike the 

 Herons, which have long, spreading toes, enabling 

 them to wade in shallow streams, the Stork has com- 

 paratively short toes, although it frequents marshy 

 places, seeking the snakes, frogs and lizards which 

 form its principal food. See Plate 33, Fig. 191. 



For generations the Stork has been held in great 

 esteem by the natives of Holland and Germany, where 

 it has been rigidly protected, and in consequence has 

 become very tame, building nests upon the tops of 

 chimneys even in thickly populated towns. 



The Adjutant Storks, which occur in India and 

 Africa, are of enormous size, standing five or six feet 

 in height. Hanging down in front of the neck is a 

 bag which can be filled and emptied of air at the will 

 of the bird. These Storks are sometimes called Mara- 

 bous, and furnish the ornamental feathers known to 



