THE WHITE STORK. 189 



brown-black as greater ; two or three short scapulars with brown- 

 black to grey centres. 



First winter. — Like juvenile but moult sometimes commences 

 Dec, period uncertain owing to want of material, but moult is 

 complete and sometimes does not begin before May. After this 

 moult bird appears to become like adult. 



Measurements and structure. — <J wing 53-63 cm. (measured 

 with tape, see vol. 1, p. *xiii), tail 215-240 mm., tarsus 195-240, 

 bill from feathers 150-190 (9 measured). $ wing 53-59 cm., bill 

 140-170 mm. Primaries : 4th longest, 3rd and 5th usually as 

 long but sometimes 5-10 mm. shorter, 2nd occasionally as long, 

 usually 10-30 shorter, 1st 50-90 shorter, 6th 15-60 shorter, 7th 

 95-135 shorter ; 2nd to 6th emarginated on outer webs near base. 

 Tail slightly rounded, nearly square, 12 feathers, tips rounded. Bill 

 straight gradually tapering to point. Nostrils small and slit-like. 

 Skin between lower mandibles and on sides of chin bare. No 

 rictal or nasal bristles. Toes webbed at base and " soles " fleshy 

 and spreading. Claws convex, rounded, nail-like. 



Soft parts. — Bill, legs and feet red ; bare skin between lower 

 mandibles black but on each side of chin and round eyes red ; 

 iris brown. Juvenile : Bill brownish-red with blackish tip ; round 

 eye dusky ; legs and feet brownish-red. Nestling (one week old) : 

 bill black-horn, tip brown ; bare skin on chin black ; feet whitish- 

 flesh, tarsus same marked blackish ; iris dark brown. 



Characters and allied forms. — C. c. asiatica (Turkestan) is 

 stated to have a larger red bill ; C. c. boyciana (Ussuri, Japan) has 

 a much deeper and larger black bill and considerably more grey 

 on outer webs of secondaries. Large size, with black only on 

 wings and scapulars, long red legs and bill distinguish Stork from 

 other British birds. 



Field -characters. — White plumage with black wing-feathers 

 and scapulars, long neck and long red bill and legs, make it easy 

 of identification. Flight heavy and flapping with legs and neck 

 outstretched, also soars with rigid wings. Haunts marshy and 

 open country. On migration flies in large flocks. In breeding 

 season frequently clattering with their bills, sometimes in flight, 

 but especially on arrival at nest when they throw back their heads 

 along their backs and clatter the bill very rapidly producing loud 

 " cup-cup-cup-cup. . ." Apparently they have no vocal note except 

 a hiss. (H.F.W.) 



Breeding-habits. — Where protected will breed generally in towns 

 and villages, but also nests in trees at distance from houses. Nest. — ■ 

 Bulky, resorted to year after year, sometimes alone, at other times 

 several close together on roofs of huts, houses, chimneys, towers, 

 ruins, barns, wheels or baskets on poles erected for purpose ; built 

 of sticks solidified with clumps of grass and earth, lined grass, etc. 

 Eggs. — Usually 4, but occasionally 3 or 5, very rarely 6-7, creamy- 



