THE STOEK. 251 
interest of many a scene in the East. Thus the same travel- 
ler*^^ writing of the konak of the Agha of Tacmac^ says: — 
" Hundreds of storks^ in undisturbed possession^ had built 
their nests upon its ruined top ; and^ with their noisy clat- 
tering and constant fluttering, added considerably to the 
interest of the scene before us/^ 
At one time the stork seems to have been far from an 
uncommon bird in this country : Mr. Blyth seems to think 
that it might again be common, were it not that every pair 
is shot soon after making their appearance, which prevents 
the founding of a colony. Mr. Waterton too, in his ^ Essays 
on Natural History,^ expresses the same opinion. How 
pleasing it would be to see the picture given hy Thomson in 
his ^ Autumn,^ realized in many parts of this country, v/here 
these handsome and useful birds could still find abundance 
of their favourite food ! 
^' W^here the Rhine loses its majestic force 
In Belgian plains, won from the raging deep 
By diligence amazing, and the strong 
Unconquerable hand of liberty. 
The Stork-assembly meets ; for many a day 
Consulting deep and various, ere they take 
Their arduous voyage through the liquid sky. 
* Vol. i. p. 134. 
