322 
THE STORK. 
authority, lately took place near Smyrna. Some hen’s eggs 
were placed in a Stork’s nest, and the others removed. The 
female Stork, not aware of the change, sat patiently the 
appointed number of days, till the shells were broken, and 
the young chickens made their appearance. J$o sooner were 
they seen by the old birds, than they testified their surprise 
by harsh notes and fierce looks, and after a short pause, they 
jointly fell on the unfortunate chickens, and pecked them 
to pieces, as if conscious of the disgrace which might be 
disposed to attach to a dishonoured nest. Whether the female 
suffered afterwards, we do not know. We shall see, however, 
by the following, that the expected consequences of such a 
discovery might well account for the horror and indignation 
manifested by the wondering parents. 
A French surgeon, at Smyrna, wishing to procure a Stork, 
and finding great difficulty, on account of the extreme 
veneration in which they are held by the Turks, stole all the 
eggs out of a nest, and replaced them with those of a hen : 
in process of time the young chickens came forth, much to 
the astonishment of Mr. and Mrs. Stork. In a short time 
Mr. S. went off, and was not seen for two or three days, 
when he returned with an immense crowd of his companions, 
who all assembled in the place, and formed a circle, taking 
no notice of the numerous spectators, which so unusual an 
occurrence had collected. Mrs. Stork was brought forward 
into the midst of the circle, and after some consultation, the 
whole flock fell upon her, and tore her to pieces ; after which 
they immediately dispersed, and the nest was entirely 
abandoned. 
The following, in many respects, similar case, occurred on 
the estate of a gentleman of large landed property near 
Berlin, and is a valuable corroboration of what might, to 
many, appear as unworthy of credit. A pair of Storks built 
a nftst on one of the chimneys of his mansion; having a 
curiosity to inspect it, the owner climbed up, and found in it 
one egg, which being about the size of a goose egg, was 
replaced by one belonging to that bird. The Storks seemed 
not to notice the exchange, but no sooner was the egg 
