116 
WHITE STORK. 
removal of all sorts of otherwise obnoxious and deleterious 
substances. 
This bird, conscious, as it were, of its usefulness, and relying 
on its immunity from barm, walks about with fearless con¬ 
fidence along the busy streets of the most populous towns, 
and forages for itself in the thronged market-places. Meyer 
says, ‘A very curious anecdote was recorded some years ago 
in a German newspaper, which strongly illustrates the wonderful 
parental affection of this species for their young. A house, on 
the top of which was a Stork’s nest, containing young birds, 
took fire. In the midst of the conflagration, the old birds 
were seen flying to and from the nest, and plunging into a 
neighbouring piece of water, in which they soaked their 
feathers, and returning again and again to the nest, sprinkled 
the water over their young in such abundance, that they 
not only preserved their young ones, but saved from destruction 
that part of the building on which the nest was situated.’ 
‘There is a great deal of tender attachment manifested by 
the Stork towards its mate and young brood, which extends 
itself to its protectors and keepers when in a state of 
confinement or domestication. But if a bird of this species 
is ill-treated or insulted, it will revenge itself on the first 
opportunity; and if hurt, it will fight manfully, and stand 
to its cause with its life. The blows of the powerful beak 
of the Stork are not to be trifled with, and are generally 
well directed and dangerous; the eyes of its antagonist being 
aimed at with great precision.’ 
Selby writes, ‘Previous to the autumnal migration, which, 
in Europe, happens the last week in August or the beginning 
of September, these birds congregate in immense flocks, and, 
as if to try the strength of pinion of the recently-produced 
brood, make several short excursions, and are much in motion 
among themselves. After these trials of capability, they 
suddenly take flight, rise high into the air, and wing their 
way with great swiftness to the distant climes in which they 
pass our hyemal months; and where, it is said, they 
sometimes produce a second brood.’ 
Storks, as may be supposed, are easily to be kept in 
confinement. In Holland they are treated with even super¬ 
stitious attention, and are never molested or injured. 
Their chosen localities are low and watery pasture lands, 
intersected by dykes and drains, or bordered by rivers, canals, 
and lakes. 
