Rubber Stamps

Long Legged Birds - Part 1

Every year, as winter approaches, the graceful, long-legged White Stork Ciconia ciconia of Europe makes its migratory journey to Africa. When it returns, Europeans welcome it as a joyful harbinger of spring. For centuries these beautiful birds have been looked upon as symbols of marital happiness and good fortune, but today there are only a few villages in northern Europe which still have storks nesting on the rooftops and chimney stacks of their houses; further south they are more common. The villagers often do what they can to encourage these visitations by setting out baskets and wheels for the birds to nest on. The fact that storks pair for life and make excellent parents has no doubt lent credence to the legends which have grown up around them.

With the first hint of spring, the male stork returns to the nest which he vacated the previous autumn. As soon as his partner joins him, the nest building begins. The male brings the building materials, mainly twigs, earth and grass, which the female carefully arranges into a large platform. Over the years these nests may grow to mammoth proportions, for the new home is nearly always built on the ruins of the old. After the chicks are born , both parents feed them and, when they are about two months' old, the fledglings leave the nest.

Although the famous White Stock is most often depicted on its rooftop nest, much of its time is spent on the marshlands searching for crabs, frogs and fishes which it devours in huge quantities.

Most member of the stork family, which is widely distributed throughout the warmer regions of the world, are attractive birds, This cannot be said of the unprepossessing Marabou, or Adjutant, Stork Leptoptilus crumeniferus. This large bird of tropical Africa and India feeds mostly on carrion and for this reason its presence is tolerated. It is quite useful to have and unpaid refuse collector on the Outskirts of your village! In fact, the Marabou has few enemies for its massive bill is no mean weapon and even the hungry vultures keep a respectful distance. The military title of 'Adjutant' derives from the pompous way these storks strut about. Famous for their spectacular dancing in the mating season, the elegant, long legged cranes are found in many parts of the world.

One of the most beautiful of all the cranes is the Crowned Crane Balearica pavonina of Africa with its magnificent golden crest of bristle-like feathers. With wings half-spread, it has been photographed in a typical dance pose. Both sexes take part in these elaborate courtship dances and, as the birds hop, skip and jump, they punctuate their movements with gracious little bows to each other. As a piece of additional showmanship, one of the dancing cranes will occasionally toss a stick into the air, catching it in its long slender bill as it falls.

Crowned Cranes feed mostly on insects, and as they move over the soft marshy ground they deliberately stamp their feet to disturb their prey.

Numerous legends and superstitious beliefs surround cranes, based on the fact that it is a long-lived bird. In Japanese mythology cranes are said to live a thousand years or more and so have become symbols of longevity and happiness. The Japanese name for crane is 'turu' and quite often a baby boy will be named Turuo and a girl Turuko. Japanese birds often wear ceremonial kimonos which are beautifully decorated with cranes.

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