Page:Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, Volume 12.djvu/37

Rh peaceably to be taken up without much struggle. From the manner in which it is observed to search the grass with its bill, there can be no doubt that reptiles form part of its natural food; even mice, worms, and the larger insects, probably add to its usual repast. When searching in thick grass or in the mud for its prey, the bill is kept partly open: by this means I have observed it take eels in a pond with great dexterity: no spear, common in use for taking that fish, can more effectually receive it between its prongs than the grasp of the Stork's open mandibles. A small eel has no chance of escaping when once roused from its lurking-place. But the Stork does not gorge its prey instantly like the Corvorant ; on the contrary, it retires to the margin of the pool, and there disables its prey by shaking and beating with its bill, before it ventures to swallow it. I never observed this bird attempt to swim; but it will wade up to the belly, and occasionally thrust the whole head and neck under water after its prey. It prefers an elevated spot on which to repose: an old ivy-bound weeping-willow, that lies prostrate over the pond, is usually resorted to for that purpose. In this quiescent state the neck is much shortened by resting the hinder part of the head on the back; and the bill rests on the fore-part of the neck, over which the feathers flow partly so as to conceal it, making a very singular appearance.

The Black Stork, perhaps, is not more delicate in its food than the white species: fish appears to be preferred to flesh, but when very hungry any sort of offal is acceptable.

All birds that pursue their migrative course by night in congregation, have undoubtedly some cry by which the whole assembly is kept together; yet it should appear that at other times the Black Stork is extremely mute: not a single note has been heard to issue from the bird in question since its captivity.

Rh