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yailTE STORK. 
CHAPTER XI. 
STORKS, &C. : THE WHITE AND BLACK STORKS GLOSSY 
IBIS WHITE SPOONBILL. 
THE White Stork (^Ardea or Ciconia alba), — The 
Black Stork {A. or C. niger). 
The Storks, which comprise the fifth genus of the Heron 
family, and are called by Macgillivray and some other 
naturalists by the generic name Ciconia^ are birds of more 
robust make, and generally of larger size, than the true 
Herons ; they have long and rather thick necks, long and 
slender legs, with comparatively short toes, having curved 
and obtuse claws. They belong chiefly to the warmer 
climates of the old continent, where they reside mostly in 
marshy places, feeding on fishes, frogs, lizards, and some- 
times small quadrupeds and birds. Some of the species 
are of gigantic size, and these are omnivorous feeders, like 
vultures, eating dead animals and any kind of garbage, as 
well as vegetable substances. Some perform very exten- 
sive migrations, Hying in continuous or irregular lines, and 
chiefly at night. Some nestle on the ground, others on 
high trees or buildings. They lay three or four eggs, of an 
elliptical shape, and light colour. 
