ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Besides beauty of form and plumage, the song of this bird is no slight recommendation to the amateur. In the breeding season, that of the male commences by repeating softly, tones resembling "_verra, verra_," followed by the word "_pieveroie_," uttered in a bold tone, with the neck raised, the eyes shut, and the head inclined on one side. Those that repeat the last syllables ten or twelve times consecutively, are the most esteemed. That of the female only consists of "_verra, verra_," "_pupu, pupu_," the two last syllables being those by which the male and the female attract each other's attention; when alarmed or angry their cry resembles "_guillah!_" but at other times it is only a murmur, resembling the purring of a cat. The quail never sings when left to run about in a light room, except during the night, but continually when in a darkened cage. Those reared from the nest begin to sing the end of December, and continue till September; whilst those taken full grown rarely commence till the beginning of May, and cease in August. [Illustration] [Illustration: THE STORK.] WADING BIRDS. The birds of this order are more or less bare above the knees; their legs are so long, that they have the appearance of standing on stilts. They may be tamed at any age, but this is best done when they are young. I shall only give here the following species. THE WHITE STORK. Ciconia alba, LINNÆUS; La Cicogne blanche, BUFFON; Der Weisse Storch, BECHSTEIN. The stork may be considered as half domestic, since it constantly builds on the tops of houses, on churches or towers in the midst of villages, and even towns[124]. Its beak is long and powerful, of a blood red colour, as are its legs and feet. It has a naked black ring round its eyes; the wings are black; the rest of the plumage white.