The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1882-05-26


II must not b. supposed that the Sec
refary Rirl. which has It's home in South |
Africa. received lis name because 4 y
IN the habit Of writing letters for other
birds. or attending 70 the correspond
cncc Of any living creature. On the
| contrary, there j. no other reason ior
his singular name than the fact that he
\ has behind one ear tuft 81 feathers.
somewhat resembling quill pen stuck
| behind the ear of clerk. This birc has
another name-that of Snake Eater
| which seems much more suitabie;f for the
most remarkable thing about the Score
tarv Bird il his habit of feeding upon
large snakes.
There i story told about the way
the Secretary Bird came TO be snake
eater. which Is. / am quite sure, moth
.ing but 4 mere fable. but which may DC
~ interest 10 those who have heard Of
the peculiaritics of this curious and in
tcrcsting creature The story runs IS
follows:
There was q time when the Secretary
R;rd lived On fish. ike the other long
legged and cranc-like birds, and hc was
% well satisfied with this fare that he
never cared for any other kind Of food
cine dav. a large Secretary Bird was
STANDING in the water. on the edge a a
river. bnsily engaged in fishing when
he caught a fish. he would wade ashore
! and there cat II. While he was mus
engaged in fishing. . large serpent came
! winding his way along the rifer-nank'
I and. A. soon a. he perceived the piru'
/ ~ stopped % see what i was dong.
1 When the Secretary Bird came out ~
\ the water to eat the fish. the snake r.
marked; X,
a Friend. ii seems 10 me YOU would
make much pleasnnter meal 4 YOU
D would toss your fish upon the bank ~
4 fast rs YOU catch them. and then
i when YOU have enough. come out ans
eat them AZ your leisure.
X ~ should like that plan very well,
Ic said the Secretary Bird; but
should toss freshly caught fish upo'
III bank. Ne would Hop into the waite
u A. soon n had gone 70 catch another
IL Thus should always be catching fIsh
and eating none
Ia There need be no trouble q thu
IL kind to-day" said the Snake; "for, \
YOU will throw the fish on shore. w
see that they DO not get into the water
q .Thank YOU very kindly said 90
II secretary Bird. III You will do that
IL Il viii ave time. and shall soon cate
enough fish for dinner
o- ~ shall only be too glad TO oolie
il. YOU" said the Serpent.
80 Thereupon The Bird waded into a
Or river. and A. soon a. he caught Is
Of ~ threw Il ashore. where the Snai
took care that II did not get into q
n water arain when the Bird thouy
M ~ had caught enough fish. he can
~ "a shore and saw the Snake slow
- .What i your hurry" he erie
1 y ..Stop and take dinner with me.
III have caught twelve fish, and A. ! n
TIL eaten some before you came. six viii
iii | shall want You can have \
other six. and we can take . pleasa
meal together.
IT an very much obligesl % You
"a said the snake. still moving away. ~
VA do not believe that anything could
M dncc me 10 eat a fish 1t present. ! ha
MA no appetite AZ al for such food. a
IVA he giided into the bushes, and was \
Il 70 sight ,
II Secretary bird 70 himself: "for iish
NJ very GOOD food. indeed; but. since
hile will not accept my invitation, 4 -
AN have all the more dinner for mys'
n.Il But where are the fish"
VA The Secretary Biru looked anxiou
NV. about. On the shore and il the grass.
rcc- he could find no sign Of the fish ne
a,a caught. AT length Ne came to II
49, pile II twelve fish-tails lying bchin
hrre bush. The Snake did not Ike hsh-ta
ana and had bitten these Oh before eat
,IIer the fish Instantly the truth mas
the through the mind Of the Secretary =
.6ad THAT wretchcd Serpent he
,eai claimed. s.IIc has. indeed. taken r
,he care that my fish shall not escape
3one the water. He has eaten them, ont
49, one. rs fast As threw them on ~
1901 | never heard 81 such an infamous tr
ri But will be rcvcnrcd On him.
h.. find him. no matter where he has
u ~, den himself 50 saying. the a.
,,,.,, bird rushed away in pursuit Of
crafty acquaintance who had taken
OF his 'ish.
soon he saw q movement among
tnal tail reeds.
ng ~ \. There nc isi' he shouted, an'
Uses dashed toward the place.
''iiul' IN d moment Ne had pounccd AZ
song the reeds. and attacked the Snake
s.ss great fury.
Its !. You infamous creature he \
> ~ viii teach YOU how " deceive r
of nv standing. And n spite q
snakes efforts 10 get away. he star
cners upon him and pcckcd him until hc
Killed him.