VULTUHES. ''J 



Chief of the New World Vultures is the gigautic Coudor of the 'JM_^ 

 Andes (Sarcor/uniijjht(S t/ri/pJiKs) i824), exhibited iu one of the ecntral '^■"'^■-' 

 cases iu the Bay. It is oue of tlie largest livii>g birds, the expanse of 

 tlie wiugs in some examples attaining to nine feet or more, as may be 

 seen by an inspection of the tine adult male mounted with its wings 

 partially expanded. Other remarkable birds of this group (Case 45) are 

 the Californian Vulture {Pseudoynjjihns califonuanns) (825), now only 

 found in Southern and Lower California, but formerly extending much 

 further north to British (Columbia; the King-Vulture (Gijpagus jnipa) 

 (826), with its brilliantly coloured bare face; and the Black Turkey- 

 Vulture [Catharisfes iirubii) (827) and its allies, common in the towns 

 and villages from the southein I'nited States southwards. These latter 

 Avheu not molested Ijccome remarkably tame and fearless, walking about 

 the streets in search of carrion. 



Order XXI. SERPENTAllllFOKMES. 



Family SEia'E.vT.iitiiD.i;. Siccret.\ry-Birds. (Plate Xll. tig. 2.) 



Tills remarkable group of the Birds of Prey includes only two African 

 species belonging to the genus Serpinturiiis ; S. serpentarius (828) 

 being confiued to the southern and eastern parts of that Continent, 

 while S. (janihiensis ranges from Senegambia to Southern .Vbyssinia. 

 The name " Secretary " is derived from the tuft of long feathers hanging 

 over the back of the head, which are supposed to resemble the quill- 

 ])eus au ideal secretary would carry behind his ear. The legs are 

 abnormally long, the toes partially webbed, and the middle pair of 

 feathers of the wedge-shaped tail arc greatly elongate. Tiiese birds 

 live almost exclusively on Reptiles and, as they destroy large numbers 

 of poisonous snakes, are strictly protected by law. The Secretary 

 usually kills its prey by delivering rapid forward kicks with its powerful 

 feet, beating to pulp rats and such-like ; but if a venomous snake is 

 attacked the body is carefully shielded with its outspread wings. It is 

 said to kill reptiles occasionallj' by carrying them aloft and dropping 

 them. The huge nest of sticks etc. is ])laced in a bush (jf tree, and tiie 

 two or three eggs are white with rusty markings. 



Case io. 



Order XXII. ACCIPITRIFORMES. 

 A^ULTURES, Hawks, axd Ospreys. 

 This Order includes all the remaining Birds of Prey, characterised by [Cases 

 their short, strong, sharp-edged beak, with the upper mandible curved ^^^^'^^■^ 

 downwards and terminating iu a pointed hook, and by having all four 



