The Sociable Vulture ([Fig. 305]) is a native of the lofty mountain regions of Africa. It has a fleshy crest, which, taking its rise close to each ear, extends down the neck; from this it derives its Latin specific name. Levaillant, who often observed it in Africa, was several times a witness of its voracity. One day he had killed a couple of buffaloes, and, after having had them cut up, caused the quarters of meat to be hung to dry in the sun; they were soon assailed by a flock of these Vultures, which carried away the pieces of meat in spite of the numerous gunshots with which they were greeted. On another occasion, having killed three zebras at some distance from his camp, he went to find a waggon to carry them away; on his return he found nothing but the bones remaining, round which hundreds of Vultures were hovering.
The Oricou is of somewhat considerable size; it is about four feet and three-quarters in length, and the spread of its wings measures as much as three yards and a half. It builds its nest among inaccessible steep rocks.
Lastly, the Chinese Vulture (Vultur leuconotus), which is about the size of a Turkey, is of a dirty brownish black on the body, and white about the shoulders; it is very common in the southern portions of the Celestial Empire.
The Serpent-eaters (Gypogeranus, Illiger).
This family comprehends but one single species, the Secretary Bird, which in its organisation seems allied to the Waders.
The Secretary Bird (Gypogeranus serpentarius), [Fig. 306], has a widely-opening bill, very crooked and very powerful; a projecting superciliary arch; feathered legs; tarsi very long, and covered, as well as the toes, with large and hard scales. The tail is tapering, and the two middle feathers are longer than the others. The wings, which are short and provided with bony protuberances, form most destructive weapons, which the bird uses with much skill to disable the serpents, of which its food principally consists. It has on its head a tuft of long feathers, which can be raised at will. This has been the origin of its name, in allusion to the custom that clerks had of placing their pen behind their ear in the days when goose-quills were used for writing. Its toes are short, and its claws blunt and well adapted for walking. It consequently runs very rapidly; hence it sometimes obtains the name of Messenger Bird.
Fig. 306.—Secretary Bird (Gypogeranus serpentarius).
A contest between a Secretary Bird and a Serpent is a most curious sight. The reptile, when attacked suddenly, stops and rears itself up, swelling its neck and showing anger by shrill hissings.
"At this instant," says Levaillant, "the bird of prey, spreading one of his wings, holds it in front of him, and covers both his legs as well as the lower part of his body with it as if with a buckler. The reptile makes a spring at his enemy; the bird makes a bound, and spurning the Serpent with his wing, retreats again, jumping about in every direction in a mode which to a spectator appears highly grotesque. He soon returns to the combat, ever presenting to the venomous tooth of his adversary nothing but the end of his well-protected wing; and whilst the latter is fruitlessly expending its poison by biting the callous feathers, the bird is inflicting vigorous blows with his other wing. At last the reptile, stunned and wavering, rolls at full length in the dust; the bird then cleverly catches hold of it and throws it several times up into the air, until the victim becoming exhausted and powerless, the bird crushes its skull with his sharp-pointed bill. The Serpent is then swallowed whole by its conqueror, unless it is too big, in which case it is first torn in pieces."