THE STORK. 
137 
of two brown Cranes (Ardea pavonia), one of them at 
length died, and the survivor became disconsolate. 
He was apparently following his companion, when 
his master introduced a large looking-glass into the 
aviary. The bird no sooner beheld his reflected 
image, than he fancied she for whom he mourned 
had returned to him; he placed himself close to the 
mirror, plumed his feathers, and showed every sign 
of happiness. The scheme answered completely: 
the Crane recovered his health and spirits, passed 
almost all his time before the looking-glass, and 
lived many years after, dying at length of an acci- 
dental injury. 
In return for this attachment, the male expects 
the strictest fidelity from his partner ; and it would 
seem, from the following anecdote, that severe 
punishment awaits the mother suspected of incon- 
stancy. We do not recollect where the first occurred, 
but the latter, which was seen by numbers of the 
most respectable persons, and communicated from 
the best authority, lately took place near Smyrna. 
Some hens' 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. No 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 supposed to attach 
to a dishonoured nest. Whether the female suf- 
fered afterwards, we do not know. We shall see, 
