THE SECRETARY VULTURE 2027 



white. The iris is gray, and the leg and foot yellowish. The existing secretary 

 vulture ranges over the whole of South Africa, and extends along the eastern 

 side of the continent to the Sudan and Abyssinia, while on the west coast it is 

 found in Senegambia. During the Miocene period the genus was represented by a 

 species inhabiting the south of France, distinguished by its relatively-shorter and 

 stouter legs. 



Living generally in pairs, the secretary is far from uncommon in many parts 

 of South Africa, although it is rare in the Abyssinian highlands. One of its 

 peculiarities is the pace at which it can walk, a wounded individual being described 

 by Mr. Blanford as walking away as fast as he could run after it. From the 

 number of snakes, lizards, locusts, etc., taken from the stomachs of these birds, 

 there can be no doubt but that they are in general large consumers of those reptiles 

 and insects; although there may perhaps be some hesitation in accepting all the 

 stories as to the large size of the snakes they habitually kill. Messrs. Nicolls and 

 Eglington are indeed disposed to throw considerable doubts on the snake-killing 

 propensities of these birds, and state they have known them in South Africa 

 endeavor to avoid coming into contact with even small snakes. On the other hand, 

 they are declared by the same writers to be deadly foes to the young of all kinds of 

 game birds, as well as of hares and antelopes, on which account they advocate their 

 destruction rather than their protection. In a specimen examined by Mr. H. A. 

 Bryden the stomach was found to contain a small tortoise, a mouse, four lizards, 

 and a large quantity of locusts. "There were no snakes," writes the narrator, " or 

 remains of snakes; nor were there any indications that the great bird had been re- 

 cently feeding on hares or game birds." We have, however, graphic accounts by 

 Jules Verreaux of combats between the secretary bird and snakes .of five or six feet 

 in length, which always ended in the victory of the former. And other writers state 

 that in some districts these birds feed largely on tortoises. With these differences 

 of opinion, it is obvious that further observations are required before we can speak 

 decisively as to the mode of life of the secretary. 



With regard to its breeding habits, it appears that during June or July the males 

 begin to fight among themselves for the possession of the females, and, as soon as 

 the victor goes off with a consort, the two set about the repair of the nest. The 

 latter is placed in a tall bush or a mimosa tree, and is said to be used for several 

 years in' succession. It is formed of sticks and clay at the base, while its flat top is 

 covered with vegetable wool, feathers, and other soft substances. In August the 

 hen bird lays from three to four eggs, which are about the size of those of a goose, 

 and are generally either pure white, or white faintly spotted with red. During the 

 time that the hen is sitting, she is regularly fed by the cock- bird, and in the course 

 of about six weeks the young are hatched. For a long period the j'oung are com- 

 pletely helpless and unable to stand upon their long legs, and it appears that they 

 do not leave the nest for five or six months. 



In spite of spending such a large portion of its time on or near the ground, the 

 secretary bird can fly well and strongly, although in a somewhat heavy manner. It 

 may at times be seen soaring high in the air, with motionless, outstretched wings, 

 after the manner of a vulture, and may always be recognized by having its head 



