72 



THE SECRETARY BIRD. 



bii'cl would rise with a spring in the air, and descend some twenty feet from his foe. Advancing 

 again to the attacli, he seldom failed to dispose of his enemy by eatuig him at once, or he 

 would carry him off wriggling vainly in attemjits to escape. 



"The Secretary has a curious habit of occasionally breaking from his staid military step, 

 and running in a fussy excited way for about ten or twelve paces, with ai^iDarently no object 

 and again resuming his march. This bird is very wary, and rarely allows of a nearer approach 

 than one hundred yards. He is rarely if ever shot, for a sportsman values the bird for its 

 deeds, and there is a fine iu the Cajje Colony imposed upon those who are known to have 

 shot one " 



SECRETARY BIRD. (Qypogeranns %ervenianvs.\ 



In these combats the wing of the bird is its most important weapon, and answers equally 

 all the purposes of a shield and a club. As the serpent rises to strike, the Secretary presents 

 the front of its wing as a buckler, and almost immediately dashes the snake to the ground by 

 a blow from the same member. It also lacks with considerable force, and almost invariably 

 concludes the combat by a violent blow on the head from its beak, Avhich lays the skull of the 

 enemy completely o]-)en. Sometimes, when the serpent is very full of vitality, the Secretary 

 makes a sudden snatch at its neck, soars to a great height in the air, carrying the struggling 



