MA G U A R I STORK .
Cicon ia M agu a r i, Temm.
L e C ico g n e Magu ari.
We find in this stately and fine species o f Stork the first indications o f a departure from the typical form of
the genus Ciconia, and an approximation to that o f Mycteria, which is characterized not only by a greater
stoutness and solidity o f the bill, but also by the recurved form o f the mandibles ; a character which, in a
slight degree, is perceptible in the bird before us.
In general habits and manners the Maguari Stork bears a great resemblance to its celebrated congener the
White Stork ( Ciconia alba, Bellon); it is not, however, a native o f Europe, but obtains a place in the Fauna
o f this portion o f the globe, from the circumstance o f accidental visitors having at different times been killed
in France and other places. In our islands no examples have ever been captured. America is its true habitat,
the vast morasses and savannahs o f that continent, both in its northern and southern portions, affording it
food and shelter. O f its nidification and eggs we have no certain information.
The whole o f the plumage is white, with the exception o f the quills, secondaries, and upper tail-eoverts,
which are glossy greenish black; beak greenish yellow at its base, passing into dull blue at the t ip ; naked
skin round the eye red, as is also a naked portion on the throat, which is capable o f considerable dilatation ;
tarsi and toes red ; nails brown ; irides greyish white.
In size, the present species is considerably larger than the White Stork, and the figure in the Plate
represents the bird somewhat less than half its natural size.