THE SECRETARY BIRD. 



6ll 



The Serpent-eaters (Gypogeranus). 



This family comprehends but one single species, the Secretary 

 Bird, which in its organisation seems allied to the Waders. 



The Secretary Bird {Serpentarins secretarius, Fig. 286) has a 



Fig. 236. — Secretary Bird. 



widely-opening bill, very crooked and very powerful ; a projecting 

 superciliary arch ; tarsi very long, and covered, as well as the toes, 

 with large and hard scales ; the tail is tapering, and the two middle 

 feathers are longer than the others ; the wings, which are short and 

 provided with bony protuberances, form most destructive weapons, 



N N 2 



