WHEN THE STORKS FLEW SOUTH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 80, 11 June 1943, Page 6

WHEN THE STORKS FLEW SOUTH

Every ycsir during August tfic children of the little village ui' Geltow on the hanks of the hroad River Have], a few miles out of Stockholm keep their eyes open for something they know will surely come. One fine evening last sumfner, just before sunset, thej" Avere rewarded for their patience. Pointing to the sky where a thick cloud was drawing nearer and nearer, they cried, "Ach, die Storche," "Ah, the storks.' These big birds have their own special way of doing tilings Avliich never varies, and the children knew exactly what to expect. Over the village they flew, coming to rest upon the loav roofs of the outlying cottages. As they numbered about 200, and the roofs'"'were small, you can imagine how closely packed they Averc ! 13ut it was only for a feAv minutes. About a dozen storks had flown on towards a huge poplar tree just outside the village where they alighted and immediately began to clap their long beaks. As though in answer to a bugle call the birds on the cottage rose with a tremendous whirr and joined their friends on the tree. There, was comfortable room for them all after a little adjustment had taken place, and then -they proceeded with great care to put their feathers in order after their long journey overland from many parts of Europe. By the time darkness Jiad. descended and the children were all in bed, the storks had finished their toilet and perfect quiet reigned; each bird had tucked its head under its wing, and was peacefully sleeping in preparation for the greater adventure on the folloAving morning. At. daybreak those villagers who were going to work early declared there must have been some, signal given, for at the same moment all the birds rose, and in perfect order continued their ilight to the sunny South. It. is the older storks .Avho make straight for the big poplar tree, while the younger ones remain on the cottage roofs until summoned.