XXIX CRESTS OR TOP-KNOTS 357 
gait which resembles a bowman advancing to shoot, but 
this name has been corrupted into Secretarius. How¬ 
ever Secretary Bird is a name which suits, and the 
scientific name Serpentarius reptilivoriis describes its 
habits, for it eats reptiles and snakes, and living in a 
country where venomous snakes abound, it is protected, 
I am not likely to forget the pleasure with which I 
The Tufted Umbre, or Hammerhead {Scopus umbretta). When 
this bird erects its crest, it looks very weird, and justifies the 
natives in suspecting it of witchcraft. 
watched one of these remarkable birds on the margin of 
a blackened area left by a grass fire looking after things 
it could devour. When engaged in killing dangerous 
prey by stamping on them with its powerful feet, the 
wings spread, head held high and feathery tuft erect, it 
appears a formidable bird, for it stands four feet high. 
This bird has a good appetite and likes variety in food. 
In the stomach of a secretary bird shot near Cape Town 
