THE SECRETARY BIRD. 



71 



of Southern Africa, and is most invaluable in destroying the serpent race, on which creatures 

 it almost exclusively feeds. Undaunted by the deadly teeth of the cobra, the Secretary Bird 

 comes boldly to the attack, and in spite of all the efforts of the infuriated and desperate 

 reptile, is sure to come off victorious. Many other creatures fall victims to the ravenous 

 appetite of the Secretary, and in the stomach of one of these birds which was found by Le 

 Vaillant, were discovered eleven rather large lizards, eleven small tortoises, a great number of 

 insects nearly entire, and three snakes as thick as a man' s arm. The following description of 

 the habits and mode of hunting which is employed by this bird has been kindly forwarded to 

 me by Captain Drayson, to whom I have already been indebted for much curious information 

 respecting the quadrupeds of Southern Africa. 



CHANTING: FALCON (.ireiieramusicm) AND SERPENT FALCON (Poiyboroides typitw). 



" The Secretary Bird is not very common in any part of South Africa, still one or two are 

 frequently seen during a day's ride on the plains. Sometimes two or three of these birds may 

 be seen stalking over the ground, with a bold, military, and jaunty stride, which is quite in 

 character with the nature of the reptile-eating bird, but more frequently a solitary individual 

 pursues his investigations of newly-burnt grass, or likely and deserted ant-heaps. Frogs and 

 toads appear the more favored repast of the Secretary Bird, but a snake of even three or four 

 feet in length is easily disposed of. 



"On one or two occasions I have seen a Secretary Bird busily engaged with a snake, and 

 it appeared that the bird by means of activity escaped from the deadly fangs of its prey. A 

 Secretary Bird might be seen sailing slowly along at about a hundred yards from the ground ; 

 suddenly he would stop and descend, attracted evidently by some prey, towards which he 

 tvould stalk. The bird would then appear very busy, now striking with his wings and pecking, 

 as though engaged at thrust and parry ; then, when his adversary made a fierce attack, the 



