THE WHITE STORK. 
781 
though every possible trick of flight is to he observed, and 
all imaginable postures may be seen. In this manner the 
whole company whirls and floats rapidly forward on its 
journey, without betraying any apparent exertion, thereby 
awakening in the heart of the spectator an irresistible 
longing to be capable of such exquisite motion. 
The striking and inexplicable penchant which the Stork 
shows for the company of man, and which is especially 
demonstrated during the breeding season, is not alone 
peculiar to our bird, for in Central Africa I met with an 
allied species (Ciconia Abdimii) which lived on the same 
intimate terms with the native inhabitants, nesting on 
the top of their skittle-shaped straw huts, or on the 
crowns of the trees which stood in the centre of the 
villages. The assumption that the Stork simply seeks a 
safe foundation for its immense nest on the summit of 
human habitations is not sufficient reason, for that might 
easily be found on ancient oaks and other trees; it appears 
to me far more probable that the bird’s own cleverness is 
the motive. The Stork thoroughly understands the art 
of accommodating itself to the society of man, knows 
whether we are well-disposed towards it, and if we are 
glad of its company or not: a Stork which but yesterday 
avoided man with the greatest care, to-day—when an old 
wheel has been placed on the house-roof—enters into a 
bond of intimacy with him who it feared so much before. 
Whenever this bird is unmolested and petted—and when 
does this not occur ?—it shows the greatest confidence, 
though, like all other long-legged birds, it is very wary. 
Naumann once saw a man repairing the roof of his house 
without his causing the least fear or anxiety on the part 
of a female Stork, who was sitting on her eggs. The 
Stork learns to know and distinguish the different 
