THE SECRETARY BIRD. 



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THE SERPENT-EATERS (Gypogeranus). 



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 



Fig. 286. Secretary Bird. 



widely-opening bill, very crooked and very powerful ; 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, 



