THE BLACK STORK.
Ardea nigra, Linnæus; Der schwarze Storch, Bechstein.
This species is nearly as large as the white stork, and is of the same form, but its limbs are weaker and more delicate. Its colour is a glossy brownish black, with the breast and belly white. It frequents woods in the neighbourhood of marshes, lakes, and large ponds, and makes its nest on the trees. Its habits and manner of feeding are similar to those of the white stork. In rearing the young ones, they may be accustomed to remain in the house, and will soon become familiar.
THE WOODCOCK.
Scolopax rusticola, Linnæus; La Bécasse, Buffon; Die Waldschnepfe, Bechstein.
The woodcock is found in every part of Europe where there are forests. The beak is three or four inches in length, straight, and reddish at the base; the back of the head is crossed with dusky bands; the upper part of the body and wings are rust brown, streaked with grey and black; the breast and belly are dusky white, with dark brown lines.
Observations.—The woodcock builds its nest on the ground in mountainous districts; lays three or four dusky pale yellow eggs, and feeds on worms, snails, and the grubs of insects, which it seeks in meadows, marshes, and fields. In October it quits the high lands for more temperate parts; this migration is called its passage, and as these birds constantly follow the same route, this is the time when fowlers, scattered in its destined path, prepare for a chase, either with guns or large nets made for the purpose, and await the moment when these birds quit the meadows for the woods, or the woods for the meadows. The flight of woodcocks is slow and awkward, but they are very fine game, the flesh being wholesome and of an excellent flavour; they are generally cooked without taking out the intestines.
In the house, by beginning with insects and ants’ eggs, the woodcock may be accustomed by degrees to the universal paste. Twenty years ago I saw, in an aviary at Carlsruhe, a tame woodcock that would come from his cage and show himself to strangers; it was a male, and appeared very willing to pair, if it could have found a mate.