m
one: the two middle-feathers of the tail exceed the reft very greatly in length; but it not unfrequently
happens that, the bird having loft theie long-feathers, they have been omitted in the
figures and defcriptions of fome authors. This is the cafe in a figure by Edwards (not publiihed
in his works, but added to the memoirs of his life, publifhed 1776). It appears alfo,
from comparing different figures of this bird, that it is fubjeft to confiderable variety. In the
prefent reprefentation by Mr. Millar, the tail is crofled with numerous duiky bars, in which this
individual differs from any I have ever feen. The beak is black, furniflied with a whitifh cere,
and ftrongly curved. The eyes are fituated in a bare patch of yellow or orange-coloured
ikin.* The upper eye-lids are cunoully fringed with extremely ftrong and long cilia or eyelaihes,
which are perfectly black. The legs are exceffively long, and of a dull fleih-coloured
brown: the claws ftrong and black. What conftitutes one of the principal particularities of
this bird is its remarkable creft, which is fituated on the back-part of the head, and inclines or
hangs fomewhat downwards. It is compofed of long narrow dark or afh-coloured feathers
with black tips, and fometimes tinged with white. It is from this remarkable creft that the
bird has obtained its common title of Secretary; as if furniihed with a fet of pens at its head.
It is alfo called the Snake-eater, which name is given it from Its way of life, and the great
propenfity which it has to deftroy fnakes; firft killing them by taking them up and daihing
them repeatedly with great violence on the ground, and then devouring them. It alfo feeds
on frogs, lizards, rats, &:c. It is a native of the interior parts of Africa, and is often feen at
the Cape of Good Hope. It has alfo been found in the Philippine lilands; and is much
efteemed for its ufeful quality of deftroying noxious reptiles.
• In the annexed Plalc tliU ikln