stork (stork)

[ = Lett. stärks = Hung. eszterag = Albanian sterkjok, a stork. The relation of the Teut. to the Slav. and other forms is undetermined. Cf. Gr. τόργος, & vulture, τόργος ὑγρόφοιτις, a swan.] A large altricial grallatorial bird, of the family Ciconiidæ and especially of the subfamily Ciconiinæ (which see for technical characters). The stork is related to the herons, spoonbills, and ibises, but not very closely to the cranes. There are several species, found in nearly all temperate and tropical regions. They are tall and stately birds, equaling the cranes and larger herons in stature, but are readily distinguished by many technical characters. Storks are wading birds, frequenting the vicinity of water; but some of them become semi-domesticated, and often nest on buildings. Their fidelity and amiability are traditional. They feed storm =