The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-05-26
The story of the Secretary Bird.

It must not be supposed that the Sec
rotary Bird, which has its home in South
Africa, received its name because it is in
the 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 a tuft of feathers, somewhat
resembling a quill pen stuck behind the
ear of clerk. This bird has another
name-that of nake-Eater-which
seems much more suitable for the most
remarkable thing about the Secretary
Bird is his habit of feeding upon large
snakes.
There is story told about the way
the Secretary Bird came to be snake
eater, which is, am quite sure, nothing
but a mere fable, but which may be OF
interest to those who have heard of the
peculiarities OF this curious and interest
ing creature. The story runs as fol-
lows:
There was time when the Secretary
Bird lived On fish, like other long-legged
and crane-like birds, and he was so well
satisfied with his fare that he never
cared for any other kind of food.
One day large Secretary Bird was
Itanding 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 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 cut of the
water to est the fish the Snake re-
marked:
Friend, il 4eems to me you would
make pleasanter 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 well, :"
said the Secretary Bird; "but if should
toss Q freshly caught fish upon the bank
he would flop into the water as soon as
had gone to catch another. Thus I
should always be catching fish and eat
ing none"
"There need be no trouble of that
kind to-day" said the Snake; FOR, if
if you will throw the fish on shore, I viii
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 I shall soon catch
enough fish for dinner"
"I 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 Snake took
care that it did not get into the water
again. When the Bird thought he had
caught enough fish he came on shore
and saw the Snake slowly moving away.
"What is your hurry?" he cried.
"Stop and take dinner with me. Ihave
now caught twelve fish, and, as I had
eaten some before you came, six will be
ali shall want. You can have the other
six, and we can take a pleasant meal
together"
81 am very much obliged to you,"
said the Snake, still moving away "but
I do not believe that anything could in
duce me to eat fish at present. I have
no appetite for such food" And he
glided into the bushes and 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, I 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 little
pile of twelve fsh-ta lying behind a
bush. The Snake did not like fsh-tails,
and had bitten these off before eating the
fish. Instantly the truth flashed through
the mind of the Secretary Bird.
"That wretched Serpent r. he ex-
claimed. "He has, indeed, taken good
care that my fish shall not escape into
the water. He has eaten them, one by