THE SECRETARY BIRD. 259 
ing the serpent race, on which creatures it most exclusively feeds. Undaunted 
by the deadly teeth of the cobra, the Secretary Bird comes boldly to the 
attack, and in spite of all the efforts of the infuriated and desperate reptice, 
is sure to come off victorious. Many other creatures fall victims to the 
ravenous appetite of the Secretary, and in the stomach of one of these birds 
which was found by Le Vaillant, were discovered eleven rather large lizards, 
eleven stall tortoises, a great number of insects nearly entire, and three 
snakes as thick as a man’s arm, 
The nest of the Secretary is built on the summit of a lofty tree, and 
contains two or three large white eggs. 
The ordinary length of the adult Secretary Bird is about three feet, and 
its colour is almost wholly a slaty grey. The peculiar feathers which form 
the crest are black, as are the primaries and the feathers of the thigh. There 
is a lighter patch towards the abdomen. The tail is black with the exception 
of the two central rectrices, 
which are grey, with a white 
tip and a broad black bar 
towards their extremities. 
We now arrive at the 
HARRIERS, probably so 
called because they “harry ” 
and persecute the game. 
Several species of this genus 
are found in England, the 
most common of which is 
the HEN HaRRIER. 
The Harrier may be read- 
ily distinguished from the 
other hawks by the manner 
in which the feathers radiate 
around the eyes, forming a 
kind of funnel-shaped de- 
pression, somewhat similar 
to but not so perfect as that 
of the owl. The flight of 
the Harrier is very low, 
seldom being more than a 
few yards above the groun(, 
and as the bird flies along THE SECRETARY BIRD.—(Serpentarius Secretarius.) 
it beats every bush and pries 
into every little covert in search of prey. There are few of the smaller 
animals that do not fall victims to the Hen Harrier, which is always 
ready to pick up a field-mouse, a lizaril, a small snake, a newt, or a 
bird, and will even pounce upon so large a bird as a partridge or a pheasant. 
Sometimes it sits on a stone or small hillock, and from that post keeps up 
a vigilant watch on the surrounding country, swooping off as soon as it 
observes indications of any creature on which it may feed. 
The flight of the Hen Harrier, although it is not remarkable for its power, 
is yet very swift, easy, and gliding, and, as the bird quarters the ground after 
its prey, is remarkably graceful. The Harriers prefer to live on moors and 
similiar localities, where they can pursue their rather peculiar mode of 
hunting, and where they may find a secluded spot for a secure home. Like 
the kestrel, the Hen Harrier appears to have regular hunting-grounds, and 
is very punctual in its visits. The nest of this bird is generally placed under 
the shadow of some convenient furze-bush, and is composed of a few sticks 
$2 
