The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-04-25
SNAKE KILLERS.
Some Birds That Are Death TO All Kinds
of Serpents.

So many wonderful things are found
in Africa that it can scarcely be a matter
of surprise that the birds of that mystic
rious region should be among its most
striking marvels.
We have already made the acquaint-
ance of the Bnceros family, with their
horned beaks; and among the Falconida
"a race of birds living by slaughter, aud
who have been called the lions and tigers
of the featheied trlbe-there is person
age named the Secretary Bird, or Gypog-
Uranus serpentarius. His one especial
object in life appears to be the destruc-
ton of snakes Gas his latin name lmplles)
and against them he wages an almost in
cessant war. His English title of ''Sec-
rotary Bird" seems to be derived from
the tuft of feathers that springs from be.
hind the head, and forms beautiful
crest, which he can erect or depress at
pleasure, and which is supposed to bear
some esemblance to pens stuck behind
the ear. His legs are very long, and gives
him the appearance of walking on stills:
and they are so brittle that they have
been known when the bird is young to
snap""if he is suddenly startled into run
or put to any great exertion.
But these long legs are of great use in
enabling him to traverse the sandy wastes
or make his way through tangled brush
wood; and in his encounters with ser
penis he has the power of kicking or
strikinh forward in such way that he
throws his adversary. before, and thus
has the advantage of keeping him always
in sight.
The natives of Africa hold him in great
respect on account of his usefulness in
destroying reptiles; and he has even been
introduced in the poultry'yard Of the set
tiers at the Cape, where he lives friendly
terms with the cocks and hens, and pays
for his board and lodging by keeping the
place free from rats and vermin. There
is one slight drawback to his presence
amongst the poultry, and that is his
large appetite, which he does not hest
tate to crafty when the food given him
is not sufficient for his wants, by helping
him self to fat young chicken or duck
ling. A baby Secretary Bird, seems to
be we'll aware that his legs are the weak
est parts of his body, for be stays in the
nest, which is his nursery, Us long as he
possibly can, often until he is four
months old, by which time his legs are
getting strong and we'll developed. Then
he feels able to encounter his enemies,
the snakes, and he also use his long legs
to such good purpose in running that he
is often called the messenger" instead
of the "Secretary" bird.
A battle between a snake and Secre-
tary bird is a strange sight, and always
results in the victory of the bird. He
avoids the bite of the snake with his wings
placing first one and then the other in
front of him like shield, and kicks his
enemy forward with his long legs; and
ends at last by crushing his skull with
his sharp pointed beak.
The natives say that if the snake does
by chance contrive to bite feather, the
bird, rs if aware of his danger, instantly
pulls it out. His plumage is of light
gray color, interspersed with black and
pure white, and he stalks along with his
peculiar stilted gait and his crest of
feathers spread ont on each side Of bis
head, be certainly looks very strange
bird indeed.-Little Folks.