788 
BIRD-LIFE. 
to this barbarous picture it is said that a male Stork, after 
having awaited the return of his partner from her winter 
journey, and she failing to arrive, he forthwith contracted 
a fresh alliance with some other eligible lady Stork. 
When, however, his first wife at length returned, a treaty 
of peace was signed between the three, and our tall 
friend, like a second Count Gleichen, had the pleasure of 
being presented with a brood from each of his two wives. 
Unfortunately, the truth of such stories cannot be 
vouched for! 
The young birds are at first fed with insects, worms, 
and other small animals, and later on are furnished with 
6 _ 
more solid food. Both the old birds never leave the 
brood at the same time, one always remaining to watch 
over their family. 
It is a very engrossing amusement to observe the ways 
and habits of a Stork family, as by so doing one can with 
ease snatch glimpses of the internal economy of bird-life, 
which are at other times so difficult to obtain. One of 
the old birds * remains by the. young brood, longing for 
the return of the absent one, who is greeted with a joyous 
snapping of the beak, as he or she approaches laden with 
food for the nestlings : then the other bird takes its turn, 
and flies eagerly forth in search of provender. The care 
bestowed by the parent birds upon their progeny is very 
great. A nest which may happen to be a trifle too small 
is surrounded with a screen, so that the young shall not 
fall out. Every intruder is courageously attacked, and 
in most cases forced to retire. Many Storks will permit 
their host to look at both eggs and young, and even to 
take them out to examine them, returning them again 
to the nest; others, on the contrary, will not allow either 
to be touched, and if this be done will throw eggs or young 
