Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-05-11
HE STORY OF THE SECRETARY BIRD.
BY PAUL FORT.

Secretary Bird, which has its home in
South Africa, received its Eame be-
cause it is in TIE habit of writing
letters for other birds, or attending to
the correspondence Of any living
creature. On the contrary, there is no
other reason for his singular name
than the fact that he has behind one
ear tuft of feathers, somewhat re-
sembling a quill pen stuck behind the
ear of clerk. This bird has another
name-that Of ke-Eater-which
seems much more suitable; for tie
most remarkable thing about the
Secretary Bird is his habit of feeding
upon large snakes.
There is a story told about the way
the Secretary bird came to be snake
eater, which is, am quite sure, moth
Jag but mere fable, but which may
be of interest to those who have heard
Of the peculiarities of this curious and
interesting creature. The story runs
rs follows:
There was a time when the Secre-
tary Bird lived on fish, like the other
lGong-legged and crane-like birds, and
The was so well satisfied with his fare
that he never cared for any other kind
\ of food.
/ One day, large Secretary Bird was
standing in the water, on the edge of a
river, busily engaged in fishing. When
he caught fish, he would wade ashore,
and there eat it While he was thus
engaged in fishing, a large serpent came
winding his way along the river bank,
and, as soon as he perceived the bird
he stopped to see what it was doing
When the Secretary BIRD came out of
the water to eat the fish, the Snake re.
marked:
Friend, it seems to me you would
make pleasaater meal if you would
toss your fish upon the bank as fast as
you catch them, and then, when you
have enough, come out and eat them
at your leisure"
81 should like that plan very WE'LL
said the Secretary Bird; "but if
should toss freshly caught fish upon
the bank, he would flop into the water
as soon as I had gone to catch another
Thus should always be catching fish,
and eating none"
4
kind today" said the Snake; '''for, if
you will throw the fish on shore, 1 will
see that they do not get into the water
again"
"Thank you very kindly" said the
Secretary Bird. eff you will do that. it
will save time, and L shall soon catch
enough fish for dinner"
81 shall be only too glad to oblige
you," said the Serpent.
Thereupon the Bird waded into the
river, and as soon as he caught fish
he threw it ashore, where the sake
took care that it did not get into the
water again. When the bird thought
he had caught enough Gsh he came On
! shore and saw the Snake slowly NOV
ing away.
"What is your hurry2" he cried
stop and take dinner with me. ]
have now caught twelve fish, and as !
had eaten some before you came, six
will be all 1 shall want. You can
have the other six, and we can take a
pleasant meal together"
"I am very much obliged to you, "
said the Snake, still moving away; "but
1 do not believe that anything could
induce me to eat fish at present. i
have no appetite at all for such food.
And he glided into the bushes, aud was
lost to sight.
HE need not be so dainty" said the
Secretary Bird to himself; "for fish is
very good food, indeed; but, since he
will not accept my invitation, / shall
have all the more dinner for myself
But where are the fish,"
The Secretary Bird looked anxiously
about, on the shore and in the grass,
but he could find no sign of the fish he
had caught. At length he came to a
little pile of twelve fish-tails lying be-
hind bush. The Snake did not like
fish-tails, and had bitten these off be-
fore eating the fish. Instantly the
truth flashed through the mind Of the
Secretary Bird.
"That wretcbed Serpentp he ex-
claimed. "He has, indeed, taken good
care that my fish shall not escape into
} the water. He has eaten them, one
by che, as fast as threw them on
shore. never heard of such an in.
/
on him. 1 will find him, no matter
where he has hidden himself" So say
ing, the angry bird rushed away in
pursuit of the crafty acquaintance who
: had taken care of his fish.
: Soon he saw movement among the
tall reeds.
"There he isr' he shouted, and he
dashed toward the place.
In moment he had bounced among
: the reeds, and attacked the Snake with
great fury.
"You Infamous creaturel' he cried
q will teach you how to deceive a bird
OF my standing" And in spite of the
Snakes efforts to get away, he stamped
upon him and pecked him until he had
killed him.
"You have cheated me of my dinner
said the angry Bird, 'and it would
serve you right if 1 were to make q
dinner of you"
} So saying.-his appetite whetted by