404 



SEEPENTARIlD^ 



SEEPENTARIUS 



Length 56'0 ; wing 27*0 ; tail to end of central feathers 24-0 ; 

 tarsus 13-0 ; culmen 2-5. 



The female is slightly larger and darker. 



The young bird is duller ; the head feathers form a more or less 

 distinct crest ; upper wing and upper and under tail-coverts marked 



Fig. I'll. — Serpentarius secretarius. 



with subterminal brown spots; the black of the thighs and abdomen 

 are marked with cross lines of whitish and the iris is grey. The 

 nestling is covered with white down. 



Distribution. — The Secretary Bird is found all over the drier and 

 more open parts of Africa from Gambia in the west and from near 



