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NATURAL HISTORY. 



Sub-family g. Circina. 

 SERPEN T TARIUS. (Lat. of a Serpent.) 



Reptilivorus (Lat. Reptile-eating), the Secretary Bird. 



the beak splits the snake's head asunder, and the vanquished 

 enemy is speedily swallowed. In the crop of a Secretary bird 

 that was dissected by Le Vaillant were found eleven large liz- 

 ards, three serpents, each a yard in length, eleven small tor- 

 toises, and a great quantity of locusts and other insects. Besides 

 these, the bird had just killed another serpent, which it would 

 in all probability have transferred to the same receptacle had 

 it not boen killed. The Secretary is easily tamed, and is then 

 exceedingly useful. It builds on high trees, laying three large 

 eggs, almost white. Its length is about three feet. 



