IN THE NORWICH MUSEUM. 19 
allow themselves partially to descend, after the manner 
of tumbler pigeons, again rising and repeating their 
aerial gambols. It was in consequence of this habit 
that the eminent French traveller and naturalist, Le 
Vaillant, gave to the rufous-backed race of these Eagles 
the name of “ Le Bateleur,’’ or ‘‘ the Tumbler.” 
The Bateleur Eagle feeds frequently on carrion, but 
is alsoa great destroyer of snakes, which it usually 
does not devour on’ the spot, but carries away toa 
distance securely grasped in its powerful talons. It 
is probably this habit which has suggested to the 
Arabs of North Eastern Africa, (who entertain many 
superstitions about this Eagle,) the belief that the 
Bateleur, if its young ones are injured, will carry in its 
talons medicinal roots for their relief; for the curling 
and writhing of a snake when borne on high through 
the air, would cause it much to resemble the contor- 
tions of a twisted root. It is a curious coincidence, 
that the ancient Egyptian priests attributed to the 
fabled Phoenix the habit of carrying to its nest twigs 
of aromatic and spice-bearing plants, and as the 
Bateleur Eagle is a native of the countries lying im- 
mediately to the South of Egypt and Nubia, and cer- 
tainly resembles the description given of the Phoenix 
by ancient authors more nearly than does any other 
bird now known, it seems. not improbable that it is 
the species on the existence of which the ancient fable 
of the Phoenix was originally founded. 
Although the Bateleur becomes docile in captivity, 
