BIENTEVEO TYRANT 179 
attacks on individuals of its own or of other species ; 
but in the pursuit of its prey it is cunning, bold, and 
fierce. Like the true Tyrant-birds it preys a great 
deal on large insects when they are abundant in the 
warm season, and is frequently seen catching its prey 
in the air. A large beetle or grasshopper it invariably 
beats against a branch before devouring it. But even 
in summer, when insect prey is most abundant, it 
prefers a more substantial diet whenever such is to 
be had. It frequently carries off the fledglings of 
the smaller birds from their nests, in the face of the 
brave defence often made by the parents. It is also 
fond of fishing, and may be seen perched by the hour 
on a bank or overhanging branch beside a stream, 
watching the water like a Kingfisher, and at intervals 
dashing down to capture the small fry. In shallow 
pools, where there are tadpoles and other prey, the 
Bienteveo does not mind getting a little wet, but 
alights in the water and stands belly-deep watching 
for its prey. I have seen a Bienteveo standing in the 
water in the midst of a flock of Glossy Ibises. They 
are often seen, as Darwin remarks, hovering like a 
Kestrel over the grass and then dashing down to 
seize their prey. Small snakes, frogs, mice, and 
lizards all minister to its appetite, and with a capture 
of this kind it invariably flies to the nearest stone or 
branch, against which it beats out the life of its 
victim before devouring it. I once saw one fly out 
of some weeds carrying a little wriggling glass- 
snake about eight inches long in its beak. Alighting 
on a gate it proceeded to kill its capture, and at the 
