THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



SECRETARY-BIRD (Serpentariidce). 



DIAGNOSIS. A bird of eagle-like aspect, but with very long 

 legs like a wader's. 



SIZE. Large, about that of a hen- turkey, but with much 

 longer legs. 



FORM. Head much as in an eagle, with strong hooked 

 bill, but with the eyes furnished with eye-lashes ; 

 wings long ; shanks long, but the legs are feathered 

 above the hock, not bare there as in most long- 

 legged birds ; four toes, the three front ones all 

 joined at the base by a short web ; tail long, the 

 two centre feathers much the longest ; neck long, 

 body light ; legs feathered down to hocks. 



PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Mostly grey, with black 

 quills and thighs ; sides of face bare, a long 

 straggly drooping crest at back of head ; sexes 

 nearly alike ; young duller, the black thighs 

 pencilled with white. 



YOUNG. Helpless, covered with white down and fed 

 by parents ; said not to be able even to stand for 

 months. 



NEST. A large open structure of sticks, placed in a 

 tree. 



EGGS. Two or three ; white, marked with reddish. 



INCUBATION. Six weeks. 



FOOD. Reptiles, including poisonous snakes, and small 

 ground birds and beasts. They strike their prey 

 with one foot as if with a hammer. 



GAIT. A stately walk, or a very quick run ; they can 

 keep this pace up for a long time. 



FLIGHT. Stately in appearance, but not enduring ; 

 swift dogs can run them down. 



DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Harmless except to animals 

 small enough to eat ; easily tamed. 



NOTE. A guttural rattling cry. 



