264 
DIURNAL BIRDS OF PR FA 
found in Senegambia. During the Miocene period the genus was represented by a 
species inhabiting the south of France, distinguished by its relatively shorter and 
stouter leg's. 
Living generally in pairs, the secretary is far from uncommon in many parts 
of South Africa, although it is rare in the Abyssinian highlands. One of its 
secretary-vulture (£ nat. size). 
peculiarities is the pace at which it can walk, a wounded individual being described 
by Mr. Blanford as walking away as fast as he could run after it. From the 
number of snakes, lizards, locusts, etc., taken from the stomachs of these birds, 
there can be no doubt but that they are in general large consumers of those reptiles 
and insects; although there may perhaps be some hesitation in accepting all the 
stories as to the large size of the snakes they habitually kill. Messrs. Nicolls and 
