506 



NA TURA L HIS TOR Y. 



hooked beak, the strong toes, the whole physiognomy, at once proclaims 

 the bird of prey. 



First in the series is a curious bird from South Africa ; lons;-leo;g;ed, 

 long-necked, and long-tailed, and with a bundle of long feathers on the 

 back of the head, which, when erected, as they are when the bird is excited, 

 bear a slight resemblance to a number of quill-pens stuck behind the ear, 

 thus giving the bird a clerical appearance. From this they derive their 

 name of secretary-bird. 



This bird is very valuable to the inhabitants near the Cape, and is fre- 

 quently domesticated by them on account of its ridding their premises of 



Fig. 422. — Carrion-crow, or black vulture (Cathartes atraUts). 



vermin of all sorts. Frogs, toads, and lizards are favorite articles of diet ; 

 no sort of insects is despised, but esteemed as highly as anything else are 

 snakes. Even the most venomous of these are killed. In attacking them 

 the secretary walks slowly up, and when the reptile strikes, the blow is 

 escaped by an artful dodging, or is parried by the long quills of the wings, 

 and since these have no blood-vessels, no bite can poison the bird. 



Next in order come the American buzzards, and concerning these seem- 

 ingly disgusting creatures we can find many points of interest. But first 

 we must mention a few of the species, so that we may more intelligently 

 consider some of the habits common to all. First comes the carrion-crow, or 



