BLACK STORK. 177 



GRALLATORES. ARDE1DJE. 



PLATE CLXXIII 



BLACK STORK. 



CICONIA NIGBA. 



The Black Stork lias, in a few instances, occurred in Great 

 Britain, and must, therefore, be considered as an occasional 

 visitant with us, although very rare. It is probable enough 

 that many birds even now considered rare might be found to 

 be less so, if the captors knew the value of birds unknown to 

 them. We have this day met with instances of parties 

 killing rare birds, and burying them in oblivion, for want of 

 knowing better. One of these birds was a little bittern, 

 which was shot by a shoemaker's apprentice, near a pond, 

 in Hampshire, who, after having obtained the bird, gave it 

 away to a friend, and it was allowed to return to dust in the 

 most natural way. The second instance was that of a wood 

 sandpiper, which was shot on Ditton Marsh, in Surrey, by a 

 bird-catcher, who sold it for a trifle, and neither the buyer 

 nor the seller knew their prize. 



The Black Stork is not only found in most countries 

 where the white species is known to occur, but also in parts 

 where the white stork is unknown. In Europe it is a visitant 

 during the summer months in most parts, and extends as high 

 north as central Sweden. In Holland it is rare. 



In Asia it visits Siberia, and coming there from the south, 



