Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-05-25
STORY OF THE SECRETARY BIRD.

|
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 correspond
ence 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 resembling quill pen stuck
| behind the ear of clerk. This bird has
another name-that of Snake Eater
which seems much more suitable; for the
most remarkable thing about the Secre-
tary 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, I am quite sure, moth
| ing but mere fable, but which may be
of interest to those who have heard of
| the peculiarities of this curious and in
! teresting creature The story runs as
t follows:
| There was time when the Secretary
Bird lived on fish, like the other long
| legged and crane-liSe birds, and he was
SO well satisfied with this 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
! 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 a much 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"
Il should like that plan very WE'LL"
said the Secretary Bird; 'but if I
should toss a freshly caught fish upon
the bank, he would flop into the water
as soon as l had gone to catch another.
Thus should always be catching fish,
and eating none.''
There need be no trouble of that
kind to-day" said the Snake; ''for, if
you will throw the fish on shore, will
see that they do not get into the water.
"Thank you very kindly" said the
Secretary Bird. eff you will do that,
it will save time, and [ shall soon catch
enough fish for dinner"
Il shall only be 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. l
have caught twelve fish, and as | had
eaten some before you came, six will be
all | shall want. You can have the
other six, and we can take pleasant
meal together
4 am very much obliged to you"
said the Snake, still moving away; ''but
do not believe that anything could in
duce me to eat fish at present. | have
no appetite at all 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, | 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 fsh-tails lying behind a
BUSH The Snake did not like fish-tails,
and had bitten these off before eating
the fish, Instantly the truth flashed
through the mind of the Secretary Bird.
THAT wretched Serpent" he ex-
claimed. ''He has, indeed, taken good
care that my fish shall not escape into
the water He has eaten them, one by
one, as fast as / threw them on shore.
/ never heard OF such an infamous trick.
But will be revenged on him. [ will
find him, no matter where he has hid
den himself So saying, the angry
Bird rushed away in pursuit OF the
crafty acquaintance who had taken care
OF his fish.
Soon he saw movement among the
tail reeds.
"There he is!'' 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 creature!" he cried.
81 will teach you how to deceive bird
of my standing" And in spite of the
Snake IS 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. land it would
serve you right if l were to make din
ner of YOU"
So saying-his appetite whetted by
the mornings work he began to eat
the Snake, and did not stop until he had
entirely devoured him.
Upon the WHOLE said the Secre-
tary Bird, when he had finished, Il pre-
fer snakes to fish, and think that for
the future l shall make my meals upon
these deceitful creatures, who go about
playing tricks upon honest folk
After that this R;rd ravo nv, o,+;rc.