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(Recorded in the Lower Category of *Bencao Jingjiu Jiazhu* / *Compendium of Materia Medica*)

**[Names]** Zaojun (from Lu Ji's *Mao Shi Caomu Niao Shou Chongyu Shu*), FuFu.
Li Shizhen states: The character for "guan" (stork) is pictographic in seal script. Its back and tail are black, hence Lu Ji referred to it as "Zaojun" and other names in his commentary on the *Classic of Poetry*.

**[Collected Explanations]** Tao Hongjing says: There are two types of storks: those resembling swans that nest in trees are white storks (*Bai Guan*), while those with black plumage and curved necks are dark storks (*Wu Guan*). Currently, the white variety should be used.
Su Song says: The stork's body resembles a crane, but lacks the red crown and the black band around the neck. It is not adept at crying out, instead making sounds by clattering its bill. It often builds nests on the ridges of pavilions and halls. I have observed them morning and evening and found no record of them raising fish in ponds.
Li Shizhen says: The stork resembles a crane but has no red crown; it has a long neck, a red bill, grayish-white plumage, and black wings and tail. It mostly nests in tall trees. When flying, it soars into the high skies, circling like an array, and cries to the sky, which invariably predicts rain. Regarding incubation, they cover the eggs with their shadows, or some say they use noise to hatch them. The *Qin Jing* (Classic of Birds) states: "A stork gives birth to three chicks, one of whom becomes a crane." When Xun (Wind trigram) reaches its extreme, it transforms into Zhen (Thunder trigram), representing the transformation of extreme Yin into Yang. Zhen represents the crane, and Xun represents the stork.

**[Corrections]** Chen Cangqi says: If people probe nests to take stork chicks, drought will occur within sixty li. The storks can fly in flocks to disperse rain. Their nests contain mud-made pools filled with water, where they raise fish and snakes to feed the young. To keep the eggs warm during incubation, they gather stones around the nest to assist with warmth.
Li Shizhen says: The vastness of heaven and earth involves the ascent and descent of Yin and Qi, naturally generating clouds and abundant rain. How could such a tiny bird cause the land to become parched due to personal resentment? Moreover, the stork is a water bird capable of forecasting rain. The claims about building pools and gathering stones originate from Lu Ji's *Commentary on the Classic of Poetry* and Zhang Hua's *Bowuzhi*, which can be considered unreliable texts.

**[Flavor and Properties]** Sweet, very cold, non-toxic. Chen Cangqi says: Slightly toxic. Bathing the head in decoction made from it causes all hair to fall out and prevents regrowth. It also kills trees.

**[Indications]** Ghostly infections, gu-poison, and various zhu-infections (chronic infectious diseases); five-shi heart and abdominal pain (*Bencao Jingjiu Jiazhu*).
Zhen Quan says: It can also be roasted until yellow, ground into powder, and taken on an empty stomach with warm wine, one cun cube dose.
Li Shizhen says: *Qianjin Fang* treats shi-zhu (corpse-transmission disease) using Stork Bone Pills.

**Leg Bones and Bill**
**[Indications]** Throat obstruction (Hou Bi), feishi (flying corpse disease), snake and scorpion bites, pediatric jingpi (convulsive disorders), and abdominal distension/fullness. Decoction is administered.

**Egg**
**[Indications]** Preventively resolves variola toxin. Boil one egg in water and administer to children to prevent smallpox eruption, or to ensure any eruption is sparse.

**Feces**
**[Indications]** Pediatric tian-diao (tetanus-like convulsions) and wind-stroke with irregular onset and remission. Roast and grind half qian, add equal parts (half qian each) of Calculus Bovis (Niuhuang) and Moschus (Shexiang), and five roasted Scorpio (Quanxie). Grind into fine powder. Take half qian per dose, washed down with fresh cool water (Li Shizhen).