File:Stories about birds of land and water (1874) (14747649871).jpg

Identifier: storiesaboutbird00kirb (find matches)
Title: Stories about birds of land and water
Year: 1874 (1870s)
Authors: Kirby, Mary, 1817-1893 Kirby, Elizabeth, 1823-1873
Subjects: Birds -- Juvenile literature
Publisher: Hartford (Conn.) : American Publishing Co.
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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among our feathered friends. He is one of the most useful birds I can name, and in certain parts of theworld is cherished with the utmost care. I need not tell you that he doesnot live in England ; and if he did, there would be very little for him to eat.Happily we have not many snakes, except a few small harmless ones; forthough you will remind me of the viper, it is very rare, and hardly ever seenexcept in woods and solitary places. At any rate, we have none of thosegreat serpents that abound in the places where the secretary bird lives. Hedoes not object to lizards, and even beetles, by way of variety; and as heruns about on the hot, dusty plains of Africa, he finds plenty. But this ischilds play ; he likes best of all to do battle with a serpent. Many venomous snakes are found in these hot countries, and the natives VENOMOUS SNAKES. 27 dread them beyond measure. It is true the snake will rarely attack a man,and, as a rule, glides away from him ; but sometimes he may chance to come
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THE SECRETARY BIRD. too near it, as it lies coiled up, and if its terrible fangs do but touch him, heis sure to die speedily. And there are many stories told of snakes that bymistake have got into a house, and even nestled under a pillow. 2 8 STORIES ABOUT TITDS. The secretary bird is always on the look-out for this natural enemy ofman. In the picture he is engaged in a fierce battle with a serpent. Theserpent is, as you see, in a rage. At first all its attempts were directed togetting back to its hole, but its enemy was more than a match for it. Which-ever way it turned the bird hopped just in its path, and stood with flashingeyes and outspread wings. Then the serpent was fairly roused. It raiseditself up, swelled out its dreadful neck, and darted out its fangs. For a momentthe bird gave way a little, and seemed as if considering what to do. But his courage soon revived. He was resolved not to be cheated of hisprey, so he covered himself with one wing as with a shield, and struck vio

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