338 DESCRIPTION OF THE MUSEUM. 



the shortness of its wings renders it less destruc- 

 tive. By the side of this is the falco ecaudatus, 

 from Africa, which has a shorter tail than any 

 other of this genus. Lastly, the secretary of the 

 Cape [falco serpentarius) , one of the most re- 

 markable birds of prey for the length and strength 

 of its legs (i). It inhabits the burning and sandy 

 deserts of Africa, where it feeds on serpents and 

 other venomous reptiles (2). 



In the sixth case are the male and female 

 astur, the sparrow-hawk, which was formerly 

 trained for the chace, and the male of which, 

 from being one third less than the female, was 

 named the tiercelet. We must remark the falco 

 musicus, the only bird of prey which sings agree- 

 ably. The buzzards, the kites, the pernis, and the 

 pygargi, occupy the seventh and eighth cases. 

 These birds pursue insects or reptiles. The py- 

 gargus deserves a peculiar attention, as the Egyp- 

 tians worshipped it and embalmed it after death. 

 We may see the feathers of one perfectly pre- 

 served, that were taken from a mummy brought 

 from Egypt by M. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire. The 



(1) When very young it drags itself along on its belly. It is exhibited 

 in the various attitudes it assumes according to its age. 



(2) This species, if we naturalized it to the climate of the French 

 equatorial settlements, would be of great service to the inhabitants, 

 by destroying the dangerous reptiles with which they abound. 



