780 
BIKD-LIFE. 
migratory journey, at which time it usually soars at 
so great a height as only to be recognized by the practised 
eye; whereas in Prussia, Oldenburg, Hanover, as well as 
the remaining portions of Northern Germany, it is, on 
the contrary, a common bird. It is fond of a temperate 
climate, and is especially unable to stand any very great 
degree of cold; on this account it undertakes its extra¬ 
ordinarily long journeys every autumn. 
The Stork reaches us between the 20th of February 
and the end of March, and in some years as late as 
April, in accordance with the mildness or severity of the 
weather. Its arrival is generally sudden, and it is rarely 
that anyone sees this feathered penate drop suddenly 
from the clouds on to the roof. The nest is sure to 
be the first place where the Stork is seen, whether that 
he situated on the top of a house or on a tree. 
The Stork is one of the noblest members of the family 
to which it belongs. Its carriage is stately and dignified ; 
the neck is usually carried in the form of the letter S ; 
but when the bird is out of temper or not in good spirits 
it is held very low down, so that the head rests on the 
back. When walking, the Stork looks grave and im¬ 
portant ; the stride, it is true, is long, but measured and 
slow, and is never hastened, except when its prey seeks 
to escape. It rises from the ground with one spring, 
spreads its wings, stretches out its long neck and legs, 
sweeping silently off with a few slow beats of its pinions, 
often rising in a beautiful spiral line of flight. It is im¬ 
possible to conceive a more beautiful sight than that 
presented by a flock of Storks commencing their migratory 
flight. In Egypt, Nubia, and in Central Africa, I have 
often seen them in thousands together, and watched 
them on the wing. The mass swarms in apparent quiet, 
