St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-06-10
THE SECRETARY BIRD,

nv
rotary Bird, which has its home in Sout]
Africa, received its name because it i
in the habit of writing letters for othe
birds, or attending to the correspond
ence of any living creature. On tn,
contrary, there is no other reason TO
his singular name than the fact that h,
has behind one ear tuft of feathers
somewhat resembling a quill pen stucl
behind the ear of Il clerk This bird ha
another name-that of Stakeholder
which seems much more suitable; for thu
most remarkable thing about the Score
tary Bird is his habit of feeding upo1
large snakes.
There is a story told about the wa,
the Secretary Bird came to be snake
eater, which is, | am quite sure, moth
ing but mere fable, but which may be
of interest to those who have heard O:
the peculiarities of this curious and in
teresting creature The story runs as
follows:
There was time when the Secretary
Bird lived on fish, like the other long
legged and crane-like 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 y
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 out OF
the water to eat the fish, the Snake re-
marked
Friend, it seems to me you would
make 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 well, -
said the Secretary Bird; "but if
should toss freshly caught fish upon
the bank, he would flop into the water
as soon as l had gone to catch another
Thus l 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, I will
see that they do not get into the water.
"Thank you very kindly said the
Secretary Bird. elf you will do that,
it will save time, and shall soon catch
enough fish for dinner
81 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. I
have caught twelve fish, and as I had
eaten some before you came, six will be
all | shall want. You can have the
other six, and we can take a pleasant
meal together"
Il 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. | 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. Atlength 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 reyenged on him. will
ind him, no matter where he has hid
len himself" So saying, the angry
Bird rushed away in pursuit OF the
crafty acquaintance who had taken care
ii his fish
Soon he saw movement among the
all reeds.
"There he is!'' he. shouted, and he
dashed toward the place.
In a moment he had bounced among
he reeds, and attacked the Snake with
great fury.
"You Infamous creature" he cried.
Il will teach you how to deceive bird
If my standing And in spite of the
snakes efforts to get away, he stamped
'pon him and pecked him until he had
killed him.