in which it is common; by some it is known as the "Devil's Steed," by others as the "Bird of Fate." We must own that to us these fanciful appellations are quite unintelligible, nor has any Eastern tale we have ever read thrown a light upon their origin; nevertheless our unpoetical imagination at once recognises the appropriateness of its nickname of the "Secretary," as the crest upon its head when laid back looks most comically like the pen stuck behind the ear of some scrivener's clerk. [Illustration: THE SECRETARY OR CRANE VULTURE (_Gypogeranus serpentarius_).] * * * * * The VULTURES (_Vulturidæ_) are the largest of all the many varieties of Birds of Prey, some of the smaller members of this family being comparable in size with the largest Eagles. The body of the Vultures is short, broad-breasted, and very powerfully framed; the neck is long, and often quite bare; the head sometimes large, sometimes small; the beak is high and straight, except at its tip, which terminates in a hook; its margins are sharp, and the upper half, or in some species one-third of the entire length is covered by a large cere; a slight outward bulging of the edge of the upper mandible is sometimes perceptible, but an actual tooth-like appendage is never met with amongst these birds. Some species possess a comb-like growth of skin above the beak. The wings are very large, broad, and decidedly rounded, the fourth quill exceeding the rest in length; the tail is of moderate size, and composed of fourteen stiff and rounded feathers; exceptional instances however occur, in which the second quill of the wings is the longest, and the tail formed of but twelve feathers. The legs are powerful, but the toes are weak and the talons short, blunt, and but slightly curved, making it at once evident that the feet of the Vulture are not much employed in seizing its prey. In most respects the internal structure of these birds resembles that of the Falcons; the following exceptions, however, are worthy of notice. The neck being longer they have more cervical vertebræ, and those of the tail are proportionately broader. The breast-bone is also comparatively low, and the gullet terminates in a crop of great size, which, when filled, projects like a bag from beneath the throat. [Illustration: _Plate 11, Cassell's Book of Birds_ THE ANGOLA VULTURE ____ Gyphierax Angolensis (_one third Nat. Size_)] [Illustration: VULTURES FEASTING.]