41 Dr. E. !>yinond.s on the 



i)^)S. Otogyps auricularis. (Black Vulture.) 

 This Vulture is only seen here, as far as my experience 

 goes, in pairs. They may be seen feeding on a carcase whilst 

 Gf/ps kolhii stands looking on. Once, when trying to stalk 

 them, I saw a fine Tawny Eagle (Agiiila rapa.v) feeding at 

 the same time ; but although I fired both barrels at the 

 Eagle as he rose, I failed to get him. On account of 

 his feeding alone, and the Common Vulture holding aloof, 

 avrindaris is often called the " King Vulture." I have seen 

 their nests on mimosa-trees ; but as the nests are of large 

 diameter (about 4 feet), and built of very fine thorny sticks 

 on the top of these very thorny trees, they are difficult 

 of access. The only egg I have ever obtained was one from 

 such a nest near here, and identified by seeing the old bird 

 on the nest. The egg was large, whitish and streaked or 

 faintly blotched with a reddish-brown colour. Unfortunately 

 the egg was broken and could not be saved, as the difficulty 

 of reaching the nest and getting away again with the egg 

 was too much for my very intelligent coloured boy. The 

 markings on the egg were mostly on the large end on this 

 specimen. There is only one nest I have ever seen — namely, 

 that of the Secretary Bird — the diameter of which must have 

 ])e(ni greater. I have never been able to shoot one of these 

 birds, as they are very wary while feeding and sit close on 

 their nests. I used to see two nests in the vicinity of our 

 I own, but during the war the trees were cut down, and the 

 nests are therefore no more there. 



.■)G3. Serpentarius srcretaril-s. (Secretary Bird.) 

 This bird is protected in the O.ll.C, and I have never shot 

 one, but have seen them frequently on the veld. As far as 

 my observations go, they live on locusts, lizards, and young 

 birds. I have never seen one attack a snake, though I have 

 carefully watched them. A pair had a nest not far from my 

 house : a gigantic structure on a low thorn tree, loosely [)ut 

 together, and, although on a low tree, inaccessible without a 

 ladder. I do not think the nests are lined, as one can see 

 throu^ih them. I have never found anv skulls or bones 



