176 ARDEID.E. 



Avith great force and rapidity. The sound can only be com- 

 pared to that made by drawing a stick across the teeth of 

 a wooden rake. This noise is most frequently heard when 

 the Stork sits on its nest, and is performed alike by the male 

 and female : the young birds acquire it also as soon as they 

 are fledged. This noise is kept up for a length of time, and 

 is also performed while the bird is flying about. We have 

 never heard any call-note uttered by the Stork, and the only 

 sound the bird produces, besides beating its mandibles 

 together, is a hissing whine, like the goose, and is chiefly 

 uttered by the young birds when in fear. 



There is a great deal of tender attachment manifested 

 by the Stork towards its mate and young brood, which 

 extends itself to its protectors and keepers when in a state of 

 confinement or domestication. But if a bird of this species is 

 ill-treated or insulted, it will revenge itself on the first oppor- 

 tunity ; and if hurt, it will fight manfully and stand to its 

 cause with its life. The blows of the powerful beak of the 

 Stork are not to be trifled with, and are generally well directed 

 and dangerous ; the eyes of its antagonist being aimed at with 

 great precision. 



The entire length of the Stork is full three feet and a half. 

 Its beak is red ; the naked skin forming the lore and orbits 

 deep black ; iris deep burnt umber colour ; the head, neck, 

 back, breast, belly, tail, and under tail-coverts, and upper 

 half of the wings, are pure white ; the greater wing-coverts, 

 secondaries, tertials, and quill-feathers are all deep black : 

 the legs and toes are red. There is no difference in the 

 plumage of the male and female ; but the young birds 

 of the year have their black feathers obscured with a 

 dusky colour, and their beaks and legs are rusty brown. 



The ecjg figured 172 is that of the Stork. 



