36 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



the air with flapping "wings. It lives principally on 

 small reptiles and insects. 



The Sea Eagle frequents all the permanent rivers 

 and lakes of the Ethiopian region where fish are plentiful, 

 and its piercing cry is the constant indication of its 

 presence. It is a very handsome bird, of black, white, 

 and rich brown plumage. It perches on trees overlooking 

 the water, watching ceaselessly for some unwary fish 

 to approach the surface. Its victim perceived, the sea 

 eagle darts downwards with a swift rush, and, its body 

 just lightly grazing the water, into which its talons 

 are inserted, it grasps its prey and bears it off in triumph 

 to devour, amid raucous cries of triumph, in the high 

 branches of some bare tree. The nests are very large, 

 and are built usually in fairly inaccessible trees. Two 

 eggs are laid in a clutch. 



The Lammergeyer is the southern form of the genus, 

 the other being an inhabitant of southern Europe and 

 northern India. It extends through most of the mountain 

 ranges of the Ethiopian region, and, though a killer of 

 live animals, belongs to the vulture, rather than the 

 eagle tribe. It is of very large size, spanning over five 

 feet across the wings. Its food consists mainly of 

 carrion and bones, but it also attacks lambs, the newly 

 born of wild animals and sickly sheep. 



The Secretary Bird has had a good deal of romance 

 written round it on account of its snake-eating proclivities. 

 As a matter of fact, it attacks snakes and other reptiles 

 no more and no less than the other large birds of prey, 

 and does as much harm to the young of game birds and 

 hares. It is generally seen stalking solemnly along in 

 pairs or singly, on the look-out for food, and when dis- 

 turbed it makes off at a fast run, the long legs covering 

 the ground at a great pace ; the wings are stretched out, 



