THE STORK. 22)

The Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) is not so large as the
preceding species ; its head, neck, wings, back, and tail, are
of a dusky hue, glossed with green and purple; the under
parts and breast, pure white; the beak, throat, and legs are
deep red. This bird is not so common as the white stork,
though inhabiting many parts of Europe; it frequents so-
litary places, thus differing from its relative; it also builds
on trees, laying two or three eggs; its flesh is quite unfit
for food. The American Stork (Ciconia Maguari) is very
similar in plumage to the common white stork, but it i is
said to be very good food.

An interesting story is told of a white stork in the town
of Delft, illustrative of the tender affection which these birds °
bear to their young. A fire broke out in the house on
which a stork had built her nest, then containing young
birds incapable of flight ; the old stork, returning with some
food, saw the danger to which they were exposed (the fire
having nearly reached the nest), and made several efforts
to save them, but finding this impracticable, the devoted
mother at last spread her wings over her little ones, and in
that endearing attitude, expired with them in the flames.

Dr. Herrmann says he has seen a stork play at hide-and-
seek with a group of children, run its turn when touched,