THE SECRETARY BIRD. 
71 
of Southern Africa, and is most invaluable in destroying the serpent race, on which creatures 
it almost exclusively feeds. Undaunted by the deadly teeth of the cobra, the Secretary Bird 
comes boldly to the attack, and in spite of alf the efforts of the infuriated and desperate 
reptile, 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 small tortoises, a great number of 
insects nearly entire, and three snakes as thick as a man’s arm. The following description of 
the habits and mode of hunting which is employed by this bird has been kindly forwarded to 
me by Captain Drayson, to whom I have already been indebted for much curious information 
respecting the quadrupeds of Southern Africa. 
CHANTING FALCON (Meliera musicus) AND SERPENT FALCON (Polyboroides typicus). 
“The Secretary Bird is not very common in any part of South Africa, still one or two are 
frequently seen during a day’ s ride on the plains. Sometimes two or three of these birds may 
be seen stalking over the ground, with a bold, military, and jaunty stride, which is quite in 
character with the nature of the reptile-eating bird, but more frequently a solitary individual 
pursues his investigations of newly-burnt grass, or likely and deserted ant-heaps. Frogs and 
toads appear the more favored repast of the Secretary Bird, but a snake of even three or four 
feet in length is easily disposed of. 
4 ‘ On one or two occasions I have seen a Secretary Bird busily engaged with a snake, and 
it appeared that the bird by means of activity escaped from the deadly fangs of its prey. A 
Secretary Bird might be seen sailing slowly along at about a hundred yards from the ground ; 
suddenly he would stop and descend, attracted evidently by some prey, towards which he 
would stalk. The bird would then appear very busy, now striking with his wings and pecking, 
as though engaged at thrust and parry ; then, when his adversary made a fierce attack, the 
