VULTURES. 73 



Chief of the New World Vultures is the gigantic Condor of the [Table- 

 Andes {Sarcorhamphus gryplms) (824), exhibited in one of the central 

 cases in the Bay. It is one of the largest living birds, the expanse of 

 the wings in some examples attaining to nine feet or more, as may be 

 seen by an inspection of the fine adult male mounted with its wings 

 partially expanded. Other remarkable birds of this group (Case 45) are 

 the Californian Vulture {Pseudogryphus californianus) (825), now only 

 found in Southern and Lower California, but formerly extending much 

 further north to British Columbia; the King- Vulture (Gyp agus papa) 

 (826), with its brilliantly coloured bare face; and the Black Turkey- 

 Vulture [Catharistes urubu) (827) and its allies, common in the towns 

 and villages from the southern United States southwards. These latter 

 when not molested become remarkably tame and fearless, walking about 

 the streets in search of carrion. 



Order XXI. SERPENTARIIFORMES. 



Family SerpentariiDjE. Secretary-Birds. (Plate XII. fig. 2.) 



This remarkable group of the Birds of Prey includes only two African l^^^^ ^^^■ 

 species belonging to the genus Serpentarius ; S. serpentarius (828) 

 being confined to the southern and eastern parts of that Continent, 

 while S. gambiensis ranges from Senegambia to Southern Abyssinia. 

 The name " Secretary " is derived from the tuft of long feathers hanging 

 over the back of the head, which are supposed to resemble the quill- 

 pens an ideal secretary would carry behind his ear. The legs are 

 abnormally long, the toes partially webbed, and the middle pair of 

 feathers of the wedge-shaped tail are greatly elongate. These birds 

 live almost exclusively on Reptiles and, as they destroy large numbers 

 of poisonous snakes, are strictly protected by law. The Secretary 

 usually kills its prey by delivering rapid forward kicks with its powerful 

 feet, beating to pulp rats and such-like ; but if a venomous snake is 

 attacked the body is carefully shielded with its outspread wings. It is 

 said to kill reptiles occasionally by carrying them aloft and dropping 

 them. The huge nest of sticks etc. is placed in a bush or tree, and tiie 

 two or three eggs are white with rusty markings. 



Order XXII. ACCIPITRIPORMES. 

 Vultures, Hawks, and Ospreys. 

 This Order includes all the remaining Birds of Prey, characterised by [Ca«es 

 their short, strong, sharp-edged beak, with the upper mandible curved *5-53.] 

 downwards and terminating in a pointed hook, and by having all four 



