THE OCCURRENCE OF THE WHITE STORK. 135
introduced by wireless to millions of listeners. The chief reason
for this unusual publicity is the experiment which was organised
by the Haslemere Educational Museum in co-operation with
German ornithologists. It is stated that the object was to
discover:—
1. What route Storks would take from England, if, during
their migration, they crossed the Channel.
2. Whether they would return to East Prussia to nest in
three years' time, the age when they commence to breed.
3. Whether any of the introduced birds would return to
England to breed.
The experiment was put into execution by bringing on 1st May
twelve Storks' eggs and placing them in Herons' nests in North
Kent. This initial effort was not a success, as only one egg
hatched and the young bird died a few days after. On 25th
June, 1936, another attempt was made when twenty-three Storks,
about five weeks old, were received from Germany. Four of
these were sent to Scotland and the remaining nineteen were
reared on cart-wheel nests near High Halstow, North Kent. The
birds did well and quitted their adapted quarters on 12th August.
It is stated that between 25th June and 12th August 220 rabbits
and 900lbs. of fish were consumed. The young Storks were
marked by a ring on each leg. Information was received of the
birds on their southward journey for some weeks later. The
Isle of Wight seems to have been favoured, as fourteen of the
birds crossed to this island, where they stayed until 22nd August
when twelve left, although some returned at a later date. Two,
which crossed the Channel on 6th October, were found dead the
next day in Normandy, having travelled nearly 100 miles over
the sea. Eight Storks were reported as having been seen at
Truro on 8th October, this being the last seen of them in this
country. The only information forthcoming regarding the
Scottish birds is that one appeared in the Isle of Wight on
27th September, and was one of the two found dead in Normandy.
It is pointed out that the experiment has proved that Storks will
cross a large expanse of water and that the young can emigrate
without the guidance of mature birds. One of the objects of the
broadcast was to ascertain if any White Stork was known to have
escaped from captivity, but as, in spite of the publicity, no escape