THE ADJUTANT. 



469 



and the beak, legs, and toes red. The length of the full-grown bird is 

 about three feet six inches, and when erect its head is about four 

 feet from the ground. 



There are several remarkable members of this group, one of which is 

 the well-known Adjutant, or Argala, of India, the former name 

 being derived from its habit of frequenting the parade-bounds. 



This fine bird is notable for the enormous size of the beak, which is 

 capable of seizing and swallowing objects of considerable size, a full- 

 grown cat, a fowl, or a leg ^^ 

 of mutton being engulfed ~-y—: 

 without any apparent dif-r 

 ficulty. The Adjutant is 

 a most useful bird in tlie 

 countries which it inhab- 

 its, and is protected with 

 the utmost care, as it 

 thoroughly cleans the 

 streets and public places 

 of the various offal which 

 is flung carelessly in the 

 way, and would be left to 

 putrefy but for the con- 

 stant services of the Ad- 

 jutant and creatures of 

 similar habits. 



It is easily tamed, and 

 soon attaches itself to a 

 kind owner, sometimes, 

 indeed, becoming abso- 

 lutely troublesome in its 

 familiarity. Mr. Smeath- 

 man mentions an instance 

 where one of these birds 

 w^as domesticated, and 

 was accustomed to stand 

 behind its master's chair at dinner-time and take its share of the meal. 

 It was, however, an incorrigible thief, and was always looking for some 

 opportunity of stealing the provisions, so that the servants were forced 

 to keep watch with sticks over the table. In spite of their vigilance 

 it was often too quick for them, and once it snatched a boiled fowl off 

 the dish and swallowed it on the spot. 



The exquisitely fine aad flowing plumes termed "Marabou feathers" 

 are obtained from the Adjutant and a kindred species, the Marabou of 

 Africa {Leptoptilos Mural 



The Adjutant {Leptoptilos Argala). 



