BIRDS OF PREY 37 



but are seldom used for flight, and then only for a short 

 distance. When resting, the secretary bird likes to lie 

 on the ground with its long legs stretched out to one side 

 of it. 



Other birds of prey include, in south Africa, five species 

 of harriers and a rather rare harrier hawk, six goshawks, 

 two buzzard eagles, five sparrow hawks, three buzzards, 

 two perns, five falcons, two hobbies, six kestrels, osprey, 

 lanner, and vulturine sea eagle. 



CHAPTER V 

 BIRDS QF PREY : VULTURES 



SEVEN species of vultures are indigenous to South 

 Africa, and the majority are, either themselves, or in 

 closely allied forms, spread over most of the Ethiopian 

 region. Probably there is no other bird whose appearance 

 on the wing and on the ground offers more vivid contrast. 

 Sailing majestically far up in the blue, without perceptible 

 movement of its great pinions, it seems to cleave the 

 air free of all conscious effort and conveys to the earth- 

 dweller far below the ideal of poetic motion. When 

 seen on mother earth it is hard to realize that this ungainly, 

 clumsily hopping, and repellent-looking bird, is the same 

 that so delighted our senses when on the wing ; nor is 

 the picture in any sense restored, as, disturbed at its 

 feast, it flaps heavily away to some adjacent tree. 



The habits of these birds have formed the theme of fre- 

 quent description. They remain on the roost later in the 

 mornings than others of their feathered kin, and though 

 the falcon tribe are usually not early on the wing, the vul- 

 tures are still more tardy in setting about their day's work. 

 When the sun has fully dispelled the morning mists, and 



