The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-27
sTORKS OF TIE ORIENT.
Their Interesting Ways and Their Care for
Maimed Comrade.

STORkS OF TIE ORIENT.
Their Interesting Ways and Their Care for
MANNED Comrade.
From the Prs,bptsrfan Banner.
When went TO the East in 1898. Commodore
Porter was our minister Resident at the Sublime
Porte. He was residing at the time OF my visit al
San Stefano, about 10 miles west Of CONSTANT
noble, right on the shore Of the beautiful sea OF
MarmoraS II was a charming place for o war
worn veteran TO enjoy tho quiet evening OF life.
In all that region north OF the sea of Marmora
extending beyond tho Balkan mountains TO the
Danube, the stork Is a favorito bird. Along the
north OF Marmora, where there very few tall
trees, the stork builds It's nest the tops OF Chin
neys, which in the East are always covered tho
smoke issuing from side windows or openings.
The nests are very rude in appearance, about as
large as a two bushel basket Sticks as largo
az your finger are skilfully woven into them
They are made soft and nice with moss and cot
ton and wool. whatever tho skillful bird thinks
will make her parlor comfortable The stork has
two long legs but for some reason or other gencr-
ally stands upon one, the other drawn up among
his feathers l think have seen as many as so
in a row on a river bank, each one standing on
one leg. When thus standing In repose Il Ia about
three feet high, tho chief part Of the hight being
leg and neck. II stalks over tho field with an
stroke finishes the race Of any snake, lizard toad
bug or other "vermin" on the ground. From
kitchen refuge IL selects what suits Its TASTE and
Is bold in claiming IL II has no voice The
strange catter OF its broad fat bill Is indescriba-
BILE. IL seems TO play rough tunes 10 It's mate
Commodore Porter had a stork's nest on the
chimney OF his kitchen, building separate from
the house and connected by a covered way The
chimney was tall round like column. and very
picturesquely covered by this rough nest Tho
commodore took great delight in watching the
social life OF his storks, especially when they
came TO teach the youngsters to fly. The young,
awkward, long legged thing would stand on tAe
rim of the nest and flap its WINGS but fear to
launch away, while the old storks would career
around and clatter their bills provingly and
coaxingly but vainly. At length, patience ex-
hausted, old stork would give him a sudden
push and toppe him off, He would then use his
wings to purpose and the parent birds would be
filled with pride and exultation. II the untried
wings showed signs OF failure in returning to the
nest one of parent birds oud como beneath
him and lift him with powerful wing 10 a height
tlat would make his return sure and easy.
Unhappily, one OF the commodore's dogs, who
knew better seized one of the storks by the wing,
and injured il so that II dragged, and of course,
the bird could not ly. The commodore, finding
bound it up in place put the stork in large cage
in the night and had II out TO feed in the day time
Its companions stayed by Il In anxious sympathy
all the day. and only when IL was used would
they return to their nest II seemed so much like
human sympathy that Commodore Porter resolved
that II good feeding would save the wounded bird
he should be ready for the flight southwar when
all the storks would leave Tho stork at length
began TO use Its wing for flying down. but II was
longer In getting le TO rise six or eight feet
and nothing would tempt II 10 regain its nest
II had lost courage and confidence. and was salts
fed with its condition. and had evidently formed
an attachment TO the commodore
But now the case assumed another aspect
Gathering and knocking and scraping was heard
high up In the heavens and behold thousands
OF storks were careering about calling out a tho
storks from river brook and seashore, from tree
top and chimney-hp to prepare for the south
ward flight A large body swept down low over
San Stefano. and deputation OF four alightcd to
examine the disabled companion. After a time
they rose into Ugh air mt DO their report and all
storks went home Their 70 ppearance for
their final fight was expected in about three or
four days, when they would gather in full force,
and following one solitary leader they would
take Il lofty fight for tropic fields.
Day after day. for two whole weeks the commo-
dore waited for them. when at length. they came
In gathering focks as far as the eye could reach
probably from all Roumeia, Macedonia and At
may be from tho ban Of the Danubo
large flock lowered low over tho wounded
mate with a Tremendous Gathering of their big
red bills A few alighted, and, after due examina-
ton and consultation. all departed but two stall
wart fellows, who were commissioned to remain
and share the fate OF the wounded They were
tho Christian commission" OF the storks Then
one stork led of in lofty, steady flight with out
stretched neck toward the south; two others fol-
lowed, and three and so on. until the base of the
triangle thus forme some hundreds Of feet
Then flock after flock fell in and the long column
at length disappeared
Commodore Porter resolved to give the three
storks the best possible winter quarters. II was
not their purpose at all TO stay. II was already
very late for their migration. When tho wounded
was again able to mount to his native home, tho
chimney top. II was evident that his two attend
ants were preparing for fight
great CATERING Of bills called out the commo-
dore, and the news ran through the village that
the birds were going to take leave. Every one
turned out to view the start Never were storks
before thus honorcd. They put of in direct line,
the wounded ono second. lie could not quite
maintain the level of their flight He would GER
tainly fall into the sea OF Marmora The Comma
dore followed them with his glass, and saw the
rear guard at length como underneath the poor
fellow take him on his back and bear him hiRh
into the air for another flight So they disappear
ed.
They will have about fifty miles 10 fly on that
line before they can find rest and fodder said the
commodore, but those gallant fellows will do IL
They will do il or all perish together"'
~