THE SECRETAEY BIRD. 



645 



it in Africa, was several times a witness of its voracity. One 



day lie had killed a couple of buffaloes, and, after having had 



them cut up, caused the quarters 



of meat to be hung to dry in the 



sun ; they were soon assailed by a 



flock of these Yultures, which 



carried away the pieces of meat in 



spite of the numerous gunshots 



with which they were greeted. On 



another occasion, having killed 



three zebras at some distance from 



his camp, he went to find a waggon 



to carry them away ; on his return 



he found nothing but the bones 



remaining, round which hundreds 



of Yultures were hovering. 



The Oricou is of somewhat con- 

 siderable size ; it is about four feet 

 and three-quarters in length, and 

 the spread of its wings measures 

 as much as three yards and a half. It builds its nest among 

 inaccessible steep rocks. 



Lastly, the Chinese Vulture ( Vultur leuconotus), which is about 

 the size of a Turkey, is of a dirty brownish black on the body, and 

 white about the shoulders; it is very common in the southern 

 portions of the Celestial Empire. 



THE SERPENT- EATERS (Gypogeranus, Illiger). 



This family comprehends but one single species, the Secretary 

 Bird, which in its organisation seems allied to the Waders. 



The SECRETARY BIRD ( Gypogeranm serpentarius), Fig. 306, 

 has a widely-opening bill, very crooked and very powerful ; a pro- 

 jecting superciliary arch; feathered legs; 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, which the bird uses with much 



