46 THE HUNTER'S ARCADh 



the eyes being larger in proportion, the bill much 

 longer and the head more flattened than any of the 

 Falconidce. It also possesses great power and swift- 

 ness of flight, in the action of which it much more 

 resembles the eagle than the cranes or herons, to 

 which (the latter) the inexperienced might at first sight 

 judge it to belong, when viewed on the wing, from 

 its lengthy legs projecting so far beyond its body. 



To observe the secretary bird to perfection it must 

 be seen while it is hunting. This duty of its life it 

 performs in such a serious, methodical and resolute 

 manner as almost to produce laughter. Slowly and 

 unhesitatingly it walks forward, while its gaze is ever 

 on the ground before it, and nothing, however insig- 

 nificant, I feel convinced, ever escapes the vision of 

 its fierce and powerful eyes. Its ordinary pace is a 

 measured stride, about as rapid as that of soldiers 

 when marching at slow time ; but if necessity should 

 call for an exhibition of speed, it can show such a 

 turn of it as will keep an average horse in a canter. 



From the fact that these most useful friends of 

 man are seldom or never injured by the human family, 

 it is not without difficulty that they can be forced to 

 take flight so much so, that I remember coursing 



