STORK. 173 



GRA LLA TORES. A RDEIDJE. 



PLATE CLXXII. 



STORK. 



CICONIA ALBA. 



The Stork is an occasional visitant in Great Britain, in the 

 course of its annual migration towards the north : and it 

 appears remarkable that this bird does not visit us more 

 frequently, since it is very common in Holland and other 

 countries that face our eastern shores, as far north as Scot- 

 land. Whether the Stork does not by preference fly across 

 the sea, or whether the locality is not sufficiently adapted to 

 its habits, are questions hitherto unanswered. The first 

 supposition is strengthened by a well-ascertained fact ; 

 namely, that Storks bred in Europe sojourn during the 

 winter months in Egypt : and why these birds, which are 

 common all along the northern shores of the Mediterranean, 

 should not cross that sea at all points during their autumnal 

 migration, appears otherwise unaccounted for. 



In order to ascertain where the Stork passes the winter, 

 various birds have been marked with a ring round their necks, 

 bearing the name of the town of which they were citizens and 

 the date. Most of these birds have arrived in Egypt, and 

 returned to their native place again year after year. 



The Stork is distributed over the greater part of Europe, 

 as far north as Sweden ; and over Asia, from the southern 

 provinces of Siberia southward ; and in an eastern direction 

 as far as Japan. In Africa it is also plentifully met with. 



vol. iv. o 



