XXIX 



CRESTS OR TOP-KNOTS 



357 



gait which resembles a bowman advancing to shoot, but 

 this name has been corrupted into Secretarius. How- 

 ever Secretary Bird is a name which suits, and the 

 scientific name Serpentarius reptilivorus describes its 

 habits, for it eats reptiles and snakes, and living in a 

 country where venomous snakes abound, it is protected. 

 I am not likely to forget the pleasure with which I 



The Tufted Umbre, or Hammerhead (Scopus umbretta). When 

 this bird erects its crest, it looks very weird, and justifies the 

 natives in suspecting it of witchcraft. 



watched one of these remarkable birds on the margin of 

 a blackened area left by a grass fire looking after things 

 it could devour. When engaged in killing dangerous 

 prey by stamping on them with its powerful feet, the 

 wings spread, head held high and feathery tuft erect, it 

 appears a formidable bird, for it stands four feet high. 

 This bird has a good appetite and likes variety in food. 

 In the stomach of a secretary bird shot near Cape Town 



