172 BLACK STORK.
It builds its nest, which is rather large, on the summit of the
loftiest pine and other trees. The foundation of sticks is solidified
by the addition of sods, the whole being finished with smaller twigs,
rushes, feathers, hair, and all sorts of suitable lining.
The eggs, two or three or four, or even five in number, are of
a buff white colour, faintly tinged with blue.
Male, length, three feet six inches; bill, red, with a tinge of orange;
iris, reddish brown: a bare space of the same colour surrounds it.
Head, crown, neck, nape, chin, and throat, glossy black, with blue,
green, and copper-coloured reflections. Breast, white; back, glossy
black, bronzed with reflections of blue, green, and copper-colour,
varying according to the light in which the bird is viewed. The
greater and lesser wing coverts likewise exhibit a resplendence of
glossy black, blue, green, and copper-colour reflected, the green
showing on the margin of the feathers; primaries, black. Tail, black;
under tail coverts, white. Legs, and toes, orange red; claws, black.
I n very young birds the bill is dull green; the bare space round
the eyes is olive green. The head, crown, and neck, reddish brown.
The legs, olive green.
In the young in a stage advanced toward maturity, 'mutatis mutandis,'
the bill is dusky red orange, brighter towards the tip. The
iris is hazel; orbits, bright orange. The head, crown, neck, and nape
arc described as being black or dusky brown, with purple reflections.
Breast, white; back, brownish black, with paler margins to the feathers,
and slightly glossed with green. Legs and toes, orange brown.