AMERICAN VULTURES. 



265 



Eglington are indeed disposed to throw considerable doubts on the snake-killing 

 propensities of these birds, and state they have known them in South Africa 

 endeavour to avoid coming into contact with even small snakes. On the other 

 hand, they are declared by the same writers to be deadly foes to the young of all 

 kinds of game-birds, as well as of hares and antelopes, on which account they 

 advocate their destruction rather than their protection. In a specimen examined 

 by Mr. H. A. Bryden the stomach was found to contain a small tortoise, a mouse, 

 four lizards, and a large quantity of locusts. " There were no snakes," writes the 

 narrator, " or remains of snakes ; nor were there any indications that the great 

 bird had been recently feeding on hares or game-birds." We have, however, 

 graphic accounts by Jules Yerreaux of combats between the secretary-bird 

 and snakes of 5 or 6 feet in length, which always ended in the victory of the 

 former. And other writers state that in some districts these birds feed largely on 

 tortoises. With these differences of opinion, it is obvious that further observations 

 are required before we can speak decisively as to the mode of life of the secretary. 



With regard to its breeding-habits, it appears that during June or July the 

 males begin to fight among themselves for the possession of the females ; and, as 

 soon as the victor goes off with a consort, the two set about the repair of the nest. 

 The latter is placed in a tall bush or a mimosa tree, and is said to be used for 

 several years in succession. It is formed of sticks and clay at the base, while its 

 flat top is covered with vegetable wool, feathers, and other soft substances. In 

 August the hen-bird lays from three to four eggs, which are about the size of those 

 of a goose, and are generally either pure white, or white faintly spotted with red. 

 During the time that the hen is sitting, she is regularly fed by the cock-bird, and 

 in the course of about six weeks the young are hatched. For a long period the 

 young are completely helpless and vinable to stand upon their long legs ; and it 

 appears that they do not leave the nest for five or six months. 



In spite of spending such a large portion of its time on or near the ground, the 

 secretary-bird can fly well and strongly, although in a somewhat heavy manner. 

 It may at times be seen soaring high in the air, with motionless, outstretched wings, 

 after the manner of a vulture, and may always be recognised by having its head 

 stretched out straight in front, and its legs extended backwards below the tail. 

 When pursued, these birds generally keep to the ground, and if hunted from horseback 

 they give a good chase, which does not end till they fall from pure exhaustion. 



The American Vultures. 



Family Cathartid.e. 



That birds so closely resembling in general appearance the true vultures as do 

 the vultures of the New World should be far less closely related to them than are 

 the falcons or even the secretary-vulture may seem extraordinary^ but it is neverthe- 

 less a fact : and the external resemblance between the members of the two groups 

 must accordingly be attributed to the effects of that parallelism in development 

 to wliicli we have before alluded. So different, indeed, are these birds from other 

 Accipitrines, that it is probable the three preceding families sliould be brigaded in 



