264 



DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. 



found in Senegambia. During the Miocene period the genus was represented by a 

 species inhabiting the south of France, distinguished by its relatively shorter and 



stouter legs. 



Living generally in pairs, the secretary is far from uncommon in many parts 

 of South Africa, although it is rare in the Abyssinian highlands. One of its 



SECRETARY-VULTL'KE (i lUlt. .SlZej. 



peculiarities is the pace at which it can walk, a wounded individual being described 

 by Mr. Blanford as walking away as fast as he could run after it. From the 

 number of snakes, lizards, locusts, etc., taken from the stomachs of these birds, 

 there can be no doubt but that they are in general large consumers of those reptiles 

 and insects ; although there may perhaps be some hesitation in accepting all the 

 stories as to the large size of the snakes they habitually kill. Messrs. Nicolls and 



