TO 
THE SECRETARY BIRD. 
her mate, the upper parts of her body and wings being hardly so rich a tint as in the male 
bird, and covered with numerous little white spots, caused by the white hue which is found 
on the base of each feather. The primaries and rectrices are of a lighter brown, and colored 
with transverse dark bars, and the under surface of the body is gray-white, also barred trans- 
versely. These hues are also found in the young male, who has in addition a reddish edging 
to the feathers of the back. 
The nest of the Sparrow Hawk is placed in some elevated spot, and contains three or four 
eggs, rather variable in their marking, but always possessing a certain unmistakable character. 
The ground tint of the egg is a grayish- white, slightly tinged with blue, and a number of bold 
blotches of a very dark brown are placed upon the surface, sometimes scattered rather irregu- 
larly, but generally forming a broad ring round the larger end. The bird seldom troubles itself 
to build a new nest, but takes possession of the deserted tenement of a crow or rook. 
The American Sparrow H ; a wk( Tinnunculus sparverim) is another of similar size, and 
of surpassing beauty of form and markings. It is known to every portion of North America. 
Several varieties or geographical races are known. A characteristic of the Falcons is a certain 
dash and boldness of action. They perch on some eminence, rock or tree, and scan closely the 
ground below them. If a bird is discerned, the Falcon drops from his place and fearlessly 
pursues his prey ; even diving impetuously into a thicket of tangled boughs and vines ; and 
seldom fails of his aim. It is consistent in its character of the bold, high-spirited warrior. 
The Sparrow Hawk will not eat food that it has not captured. It resembles closely the 
European kestrel. The manner of suspending itself in the air is exactly similar to that of 
the “Windover,” which movement is considered to be peculiar to the kestrels. The true 
Falcons, we have seen, survey the ground leisurely, and lordly, from some eminence, or while 
sweeping the air in graceful flight, then stoop upon the prey with something like the velocity 
and force of lightning. They are, indeed, the personification of grace and nobility, with 
power and courage to match. 
As a general rule, the voices of all the rapacious birds are notable for the rough, strident 
dissonance of the larger species, or for the piercing shrieks of the smaller birds. There is, 
however, an exception to this rule, which is supposed at present to be cpiite unique, in the 
person of the Chanting Falcon of Africa. 
In a certain sense, even the scream of the eagle and the shriek of the Falcon possess a sort 
of wild music, which is sufficiently appropriate to the localities in which they dwell, but is 
singularly out of place when the bird is seated on a perch or immured within the confines of 
wiry walls. The Chanting Falcon, however, possesses a really musical voice, its very peculiar 
notes having been compared to the thrilling sounds of musical glasses. Le Yaillant tells us 
that it sings in the morning and evening, and that its song lasts for about one minute, being 
very frequently repeated in the course of an hour, and with very short intervals. It is at all 
other times of the day a very shy and suspicious bird, but while singing is so occupied with 
its task, that it can be approached, and, if desired, shot without much difficulty. 
It is rather a large and powerful bird, being nearly two feet in length, and somewhat 
resembling the jerfalcon in proportion. Its prey consists of hares, rabbits, and similar quad- 
rupeds, and it also wages successful war against the larger birds, such as the bustard or 
“pauw.” The general color of this curious bird is grayish on the upper parts of the body, 
and white on the lower parts, barred with brown streaks. 
The very remarkable Secretary Bird derives its name from the curious feathery plumes 
which project from each side of its head, and bear a fanciful resemblance to pens carried 
behind the ear by human secretaries. In allusion to the same peculiarity, the Arabs term the 
bird Selazza Izn, or Thirty-ears. . 
The Secretary Bird has long been a standing perplexity to systematic zoologists, having 
been placed by some writers among the wading birds on account of its long legs, while others 
consider its proper place to be among the hawks and other birds of prey. It is an inhabitant 
