THE SECRETARY BIRD. 61: 
THE SERPENT-EATERS (Gyfogeranus). 
This family comprehends but one single species, the Secretary 
Bird, which in its organisation seems allied to the Waders. 
The Secretary Bird (Serpentarius secretarius, Fig. 286) has a 
a 
Fig. 236.—Secretary Bird. 
-widely-opening bill, very crooked and very powertul; a projecting 
superciliary arch ; tarsi very long, and covered, as well as the toes, 
with large and hard scales ; the tail is tapering, and the two middle 
feathers are longer than the others; the wings, which are short and 
provided with bony protuberances, form most destructive weapons, 
