34 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 



I have observed this bird in Little Namaqua Land, 

 but am not aware that it is an inhabitant of Great 

 Namaqua or Damara Land ; it frequents the banks of 

 lakes and rivers and marshy places in general, along 

 which it leisurely hunts for birds, mice, lizards, frogs, &c. 



44. Circus ranivorilS (Baud.). Levaillant's Harrier. 



Le Grenouillard, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 23. 

 Circus ranivorus, Layard's Cat. No. 51. 



I do not recollect to have met with this Harrier in 

 Damara or Great Namaqua Land; but Mr. Layard 

 informs me that he received specimens collected in the 

 Lake-country by Mr. James Chapman. 



SERPENTABJIM!. 



45. Sagittarius secretarius (Scop.). Secretary bird. 



Le Mangeur de Serpents, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 25. 

 Sagittarius secretarius, Strickland's Orn. Syn. No. 242. 

 Serpentarius reptilivorus, Layard's Cat. No. 48. 

 Secretarius reptilivorus, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 392. 



The Secretary bird is found sparingly in Great Na- 

 maqua and Damara Land and on the plains of Ondonga 

 in the Ovampo country; it also occurs about Lake 

 Ngami. It spends most of its time upon the ground, 

 rarely, if ever, taking to the wing ; and if compelled to 

 do so, it is only for very short flights, as it seems to 

 prefer seeking its safety by means of its long legs, which 

 are admirably adapted for running. Its swiftness is 

 wonderful, and it actually seems to skim the ground 



