404 



SERPENTARIID^: 



SERPENTABIUS 



Length 56'0 ; wing 27*0 ; tail to end of central feathers 24-0 ; 

 tarsus 13-0 ; culmen 2-5. 



The female is slightly larger and darker. 



The young bird is duller ; the head feathers form a more or less 

 distinct crest ; upper wing and upper and under tail-coverts marked 



FIG. Ul.Serp 



secretanus. 



with subterminal brown spots ; the black of the thighs and abdomen 

 are marked with cross lines of whitish and the iris is grey. The 

 nestling is covered with white down. 



Distribution. The Secretary Bird is found all over the drier and 

 more open parts of Africa from Gambia in the west and from near 



