Stork Chronicles

摘要

Natural history of birds is an appealing subject, since from ancient times birds have affected man, and man has affected birds. Understanding the world begins with birds. Each of the species is unique. Losing one species will deprive future generations from an opportunity to enjoy their wonder and beauty. Man's original interest in birds must have been for food, mysterious appearance, their bright colours and intriguing songs. In the modern world birds are considered to play an important economic role. Most fail to appreciate the elegance of a bird that we often find adjoining in and around human settlements and wetlands. One such bird species is the 'storks'. Though 'stork' is found in an English surname, the Czech surname 'capek' means 'little stork'. For the Chinese, the stork was able to snatch up a worthy man, like the flute-player Lan Ts' ai Ho, and carry him to a blissful life.