I IO



Some A T otes on the Secretary Bird.



and they are not to be trusted with anything smaller than a

pheasant, nor with eggs or young of any species.


My birds are largely fed on rabbit, given in pieces with

the fur and bone, also on any rats that are forthcoming, and

sparrows: in fact, on anything of an animal nature, so long as it

is perfectly fresh.


I have never offered them a snake, but an eel is treated

with much caution, and even after being killed by the usual

blows from the foot, receives many unnecessary thumps before it

is bolted. Although the bird evidently prefers small prey, at

least so small that it can be shaken down his capacious throat,

he will stand upon anything too big to swallow and tear pieces

off; but I doubt it being his usual practice when at liberty to kill

anything large.


I entirely agree with Major Horsbrugh that the Secretary

Bird shows nothing of the Vulture in its ways, but much more of

the Goshawk, as anyone who is familiar with the two birds will

soon remark.


One habit I notice, which is unusual amongst birds of

prejq is the Secretary Bird’s attitude when roosting. He lies

down ; and my birds, a few minutes after they have been walked

into their shelter sheds for the night, may be seen lying on the

peat moss litter, In summer, when they are left out, they creep

under a bush or spruce fir, and crouch there for the night. The

foot is the bird’s weapon, whether for disabling his prey or for

discomfiting his enemy. Before my other birds understood their

novel method of fighting, I have seen an inquisitive Stanley

Crane make a hostile demonstration against a “ Secretary,” only

to be thrown backwards a yard or two by the lightning stroke

delivered straight at his breast.


Now everything gives way to the Secretary Birds, though

I do not call them aggressive, nor even courageous, except with

creatures much smaller than themselves. Mine have several

times killed for themselves a water hen and eaten it ; and once

one got into a Wader’s enclosure and killed a Whimbrel. But

I have seen one striding after a scared grey squirrel, keeping

within easy striking distance: but the bird could not make up

its mind to deliver its blow, before the little animal reached



