218 POPULAR SCRIPTURE ZOOLOGY.

Ciconta.—The Stork. (Plate XIV.)

The White Stork (Ciconia alba) is upwards of three feet
six inches long; the whole of the plumage is of a pure
white, with the exception of the wings, which are black ;
the bill, seven inches in length, is of a fine red colour; the
legs are also red; the neck is long and arched, the feathers
near the breast pendulous.

This bird inhabits the warmer regions of the globe, but
resorts to higher latitudes in order to hatch its young
(Yea, the stork in the heavens knoweth her appointed
time,” Jer. viii.) ; never, however, being found in summer
farther north than Russia or Sweden, nor in winter farther
south than Egypt, where it is constantly seen during that
season. Before storks take their departure they assemble
in large flocks, making a clattering noise, and appearing to
be all bustle and consultation ; but when they are actually
about to leave, the whole body become silent, and move at
once, generally in the night*.”

The female lays from two to four white eggs, on which
the male and female sit by turns; the large and compact nest
is usually built on the tops of churches, temples, and lofty
ruins, and in the East on the chimneys by which apartments

* Maunder’s Treasury.