MAGUARI STORK. 



Ciconia Maguari, Temm. 

 Le Cicogne Maguari. 



We find in this stately and fine species of Stork the first indications of a departure from the typical form of 

 the genus Ciconia, and an approximation to that of Mycteria, which is characterized not only by a greater 

 stoutness and solidity of the bill, but also by the recurved form of the mandibles ; a character which, in a 

 slight degree, is perceptible in the bird before us. 



In general habits and manners the Maguari Stork bears a great resemblance to its celebrated congener the 

 White Stork {Ciconia alba, Bellon) ; it is not, however, a native of Europe, but obtains a place in the Fauna 

 of this portion of the globe, from the circumstance of accidental visitors having at different times been killed 

 in France and other places. In our islands no examples have ever been captured. America is its true habitat, 

 the vast morasses and savannahs of that continent, both in its northern and southern portions, affording it 

 food and shelter. Of its nidification and eggs we have no certain information. 



The whole of the plumage is white, with the exception of the quills, secondaries, and upper tail-coverts, 

 which are glossy greenish black ; beak greenish yellow at its base, passing into dull blue at the tip ; naked 

 skin round the eye red, as is also a naked portion on the throat, which is capable of considerable dilatation ; 

 tarsi and toes red ; nails brown ; irides greyish white. 



In size, the present species is considerably larger than the White Stork, and the figure in the Plate 

 represents the bird somewhat less than half its natural size. 



