THE STORY OF THE BIRDS. 
509 
Eastward its range extends through Turkey and Persia to central Asia and a 
great part of India, while in winter the bird visits northern Africa in large 
numbers. In France, where it is much persecuted, it is now only a passing 
visitor; but it breeds in large numbers in Holland, Germany, and indeed over 
the greater part of central and eastern Europe, where it enjoys protection 
on the part of the inhabitants. The stork has become thoroughly habituated 
to human habitations and the presence of man, by whom it is esteemed, not 
only on account of its value as a scavenger, but likewise from its well-known 
fidelity to its young, which has become proverbial. In Palestine, where they 
only exceptionally breed, storks make their appearance at the latter part of 
A GROUP OF PENGUINS. 
March on their northern journey, while in Holland and Denmark they gen¬ 
erally arrive about the middle of April. They arrive and depart in immense 
flocks; and on their arrival spread themselves over the country in search of 
food, which comprises small mammals and birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, etc. 
In most parts of Europe the stork generally builds on chimneys, where boxes 
or other receptacles for the nest are frequently placed for its accommodation; 
and as it returns year after year to the same spot, the nest, which is originally 
a shallow structure of sticks, gradually attains a height of several feet. In the 
absence of buildings, trees or rocks are, however, adopted for nesting. The 
eggs, usually from three to five in number, are pure white. During the 
