BLACK STORK. 181 



sequence of the rapid fading away of the pale blue tint 

 with which the eggs of the Black Stork are tinged. The 

 time of incubation is eight and twenty days. The young of 

 the Black Stork are not entirely full grown and properly de- 

 veloped before the third spring. 



The entire length of the adult Black Stork is about three 

 feet six inches from the tip of the beak to the extremity of 

 the tail. 



The plumage of the present species is of closer texture 

 than that of the white stork, and more glossy. 



The beak is from seven to eight inches in length : the legs 

 are from twelve to fourteen inches from the ground to the top 

 of the naked part of the tibia ; the middle toe, including the 

 claw, three inches and a quarter to four inches ; the hinder 

 toe, including the claw, one inch four lines to six lines. 



The colour of the beak, regions of the eyes, and legs 

 is bright vermilion red in adult birds, and oil green in the 

 young; the joints between the scales of the legs appear 

 chalky, as if they were fixed in with mortar. The head, 

 neck, back, wings, rump, and tail are black and dusky : all 

 this plumage reflects metallic colours in brilliant tints. The 

 lower part of the breast, belly, vent, and under tail-coverts 

 are pure white ; the iris dusky brown. 



Between the male and female there is no material difference, 

 but the young and immature birds differ in many respects ; 

 their feathering is duller in colour, less reflected, and the 

 beak and legs are bluish green, instead of red ; and the iris 

 is more grey than brown. 



The egg figured 173 is that of the Black Stork. 



