i6o 
British Birds. 
THE 
WHITE STORK. 
( Ciconia ciconia.) 
The Storks differ 
from the Herons in 
wanting the comb- 
like edge to the claw 
of the middle toe, and in having the 
hind-toe raised above the level of the 
others. The general colour is white, 
with the scapulars, greater wing-coverts 
and quills, black ; the bill and feet are red. 
Although the Stork occurs commonly and 
breeds in Holland, it is only a rare visitor 
to Great Britain. It is found throughout 
Central and Southern Europe, as far 
east as Central Asia ; it also breeds in 
suitable localities in Africa. The nest 
is generally placed on the roof of a house, 
except when an old cart-wheel or cradle 
is put up for the bird’s accommodation ; 
it sometimes builds its own nest in 
The Black Stork. 
The White Stork. 
a tree. The young are scantily covered with 
ashy-white down. The eggs are from three 
to five in number, of a dull white colour ; they 
measure from two-and-a-half to nearly three 
inches in length. 
The Black Stork oc- 
THE . 
BLACK STORK. Cas,ona ">' " slts England, 
rr - ■ ■ , but does not breed with 
(Licoma nigra.) 
us. It nests throughout 
the greater part of Europe, but is only known 
as a passing migrant in the south ; and it is 
found throughout Central Asia to Mongolia, 
wintering in India and Africa. It has a red 
bill and legs like the White Stork, but is other- 
wise quite different in colour, being black with 
shades of metallic purple and green, and has 
the breast and abdomen white. It does not 
