the Secretarij Bird. 109 



ill the Transvaal Zoological Gardens would immediately set 

 upon any living snakes thrown to them, and kill them in the 

 manner described. Small snakes are swallowed whole, but 

 the larger reptiles are torn to pieces and swallowed piece- 

 meal. Even dead snakes were stamped upon repeatedly, 

 and the cautious manner in which the Secretary Birds 

 approached and went through the performance of " killino" 

 these dead- reptiles, was ludicrous to behold, and showed 

 that they fully appreciated the chances of being bitten. 

 Mr. C. H. Taylor records that the stouiach of one killed by 

 him contained 2 large rats, 1 small snake, 2 chamseleons, 

 and 2 lizards. Dr. Symonds gave their food as consisting 

 of lo.custs, lizards, and young birds. Mr. Claude Taylor also 

 states that the wings are outspread when any food is beino- 

 caught, and the action therefore is not confined to the 

 practice of killing snakes. 



The Secretary Bird is not a strong flyer, but runs easily and 

 well. On horseback and with a pack of greyhounds we once 

 chased an individual for over 5 miles. The bird would run 

 along at a great pace, with wings outstretched, its feet only 

 just touching the ground at each enormous stride, then rise 

 and fly for about a hundred yards or so, settle, and continue 

 running. The speed and endurance of the dogs was, how- 

 ever, too much for it, and they brought it to bay against the 

 bank of a shallow rut or donga, where it defended itself 

 with beak, wings, and claws, emitting a strange gruntino- 

 sound. 



The nest is a largo, untidy structure of sticks, roughly 

 lined with grass, horsehair, twine, &c., and measures from 

 3 to 5 feet in diameter. I found two nests — both situated 

 in thorn trees (^Acacia Jiorrida) — about 6 to 8 feet from the 

 ground, one at Moddorfontein, Transvaal, and the other at 

 Brandfort, O.F.S. The former was not used by the birds 

 after the second year, having been commandeered by a pair 

 of large African Kestrels, who laid their eggs therein. 

 Usually, however, the nest is utilised year after year, being 

 added to until it becomes a ponderous structure. The usual 

 complement of eggs appears to be two: they are of a bluish- 



