Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-10-15
A Remarkable Duel.

every now and then some gliding creature
appeared and vanished again among
the roots and herbage. 1t might be a
lizard bright and quick as flash, or it
might be one OF the poisonous serpents
with which that country abounds, and to
tread on which was almost certain death
Now he held on to branch while gain
ing safe footing below, now he leaped on to
a projecting ledge of rock, now clung to
root. yet everywhere stopping to .observe
what was beneath and around him, and
gathering treasures as be went. Heavily
laden was he, besides-with musket
slung over his shoulder. butterfy-net in
his hand, and a knapsack and cases, and
numberless things that 60 to make up the
trappings Of naturalist, hung about his
waist. Hands and eyes were alike busy
where nature also had been busy, lavish
ing on every inch of space some strange
and wondrous thing worth studying or
preserving. Exquisite heaths or other
plants must be slowed away in his tin box,
then splended insect was entrapped, or
a bird was brought down.
Thus engaged, the traveller was a long
time clamberlng down the mountain, un-
mindful also of whittier his rambles were
leading him, when, CHANGING to look be-
low, he found he was descending into a
moist, boggy spot, which he knew would
be the very place for the poisonous snakes
he was so anxious to avoid, and to escape
which would now require his utmost vigil
ance. Suddenly his attention was attract
ed by large bird standing on fat, sandy
part of the bog, and whose actions were
unaccountably strange, its movements be-
ing as rapid and eccentric as if it were
gong through gymnastic exercises out
there in the savage desert. Quick jumps
and steps with its long legs, then success
ion of bends and bows, did this strange
bird make; then whirl and a sudden
leap back, or turn in the air. Wings
and feet we're equally active, yet, with the
exception Of these singular antics, it re-
manned always on the same mound of sand
upon which, at that distance, the man
could distinguish no other object likely to
occasion such evolutions. The bird was
not turkey, though about the size ol
one, nor stork. nor crane, nor a vul-
ture, though in some respects slightly re-
sembling each of these. Could it have
been picking up insects amidst those
strange and rapid motions? The traveller:
curiosity was keenly excited. Descend
ing with as much speed as possible, and
approaching quietly so as to observe with
out disturbing the proceedings, be now
saw t at the bird had very singular
crest formed OF long feathers, like quill
pens at the back OF his head, sometime.
lying close, and sometimes raised and
sticking straight out, as pens do whel
lawyers clerks put them behind their ears
Then, by this peculiar crest, the gentle
man knew that it was bird of which b.
had often heard, bat which he had nevc
before seen. "1he secretary~bird J" b.
said to himself smiling with satisfaction
at this good opportunity for observing it:
habits. And now it was easy to perceiv
that this remarkable bird was fighting
duel with one of the deadly serpents o
that climate, and fierce and terrib
duel it was, equal skill, vigilance, an
activity being dis, layed on both sides
} The serpent, with its jaws extended, an
Its poisonous tangs ready for the fata
bite, reared its terrible head, swollen wit
venom and rage, darting out its forke
tongue and glaring with its fiery eye
while for a moment the bird stood at bay
Then, with one of its large, strong wing
spread out before its breast, exactly lik
shield, it, with its other wing, dealt
blow at the raised head of the foe whic
struck it to the ground. Quick as ligh
ming was the blow. and quick as Lightning
the dash which the snake again nade a
its assalant, though only to expend il
, venom on the feathers of the wing sprea
! out to shield the breast. Watching il
opportunity the bird, with another sudde
movement, sprang upon the foe, this tin
!, !, to give it Kick, and prick and wound
: with it's talons then, selzing it with i
r bill, it tossed it into the air. For fe
G minutes the reptile lay stunned and powe
less, while its assailant stalked wari
! around, anticipating its slightest NOV
ment, for the cunning of the serpent ar
the swiftness of its gliding motions rende
ed it an equal match for its larger al
e more powerful antagonist. Finding
: advantage, the bird now cautious
r approached, and again with its VIII
swept the snake off the ground and toss'
it into the air. More bruised and teeb
:, after each fall, the deadly snake at leng
q grew wearied and disabled, till the blr
e now feeling itself secure from stroke
# the poison fangs, leaped upon its neck al
+ held it to the ground, while with one bic
y of its falcon-like bill it split open its sku
and ended this extraordinary duel
4 gobbling its enemy up.
From the swiftness with which the snak
N eater runs and hops, having long, sto
| legs, it is called the messenger-bird
ot but among the Dutch settlers at the Cal
it is known as slangen vrecter-the 81
. pent-eater--b because 1t is so useful IN
- stroying the dangerous snakes and ott
7 reptiles OF the hot countries which it
| habits.
ar The farmers at the Cape sometin
ed keep secretary-bird and tame 1t, lett
to it live in the farm-yard among the po
n: a. try, whose protector from snakes and o
~ er reptiles it then becomes. If the s
H. pent-eater be allowed to get hungry 1T
| not object to young chicken or two
IN self; otherwise it will defend them, a
wage war only with their common eneml
an snakes, rats, lizards, and such thieves.
rs. So valuable are the sscretary-blrds
tho ;nbah,tants of those countries tina
We We punishment is imposed FOR destroying the
and the people of some of the 'fest In
ill islands, where also are poisonous serpel
lch try to breed them there, on account
their value as snake-eaters.
sef ,e Our readers will, perhaps, be surprl
the and sorry to hear that the traveller
watched that combat between the bro