BIRDS. 307 



The mother of this chicken, a large hen of a very 

 good breed, seized the Eagle by the wing, and almost 

 prevented him from rising. The courageous fowl was 

 dragged along the ground : if she could have held on 

 a few seconds longer, or if we had not been too much 

 surprised to move, the Eagle would have paid for his 

 temerity. The bird on this occasion swooped from 

 north to south. This would prevent his shadow 

 giving warning of his approach. I wonder if birds of 

 prey habitually take this precaution. 



In the spring of 1898 a postman going from 

 Sospello to a neighbouring village was attacked by 

 Eagles, and so seriously injured that he died not long 

 afterwards. 



Ant Eater or Wryneck, French Torcol. This 

 bird is about the size of a sparrow. It lies on the 

 ground by an ant-path ; places its tongue, which is 

 cylindrical and almost as long as its body, in the way 

 of the insects, and draws them in when they adhere 

 to it. The plumage and markings of the Ant Eater 

 are well adapted to make the bird inconspicuous 

 when it has settled on the ground to feed. The 

 native name is " Fourmilier." I believe that it is 

 commoner on the hills than by the coast, and I have 

 been told that it nests in a hollow tree. 



It is difficult to observe the habits of this or 

 indeed of any other bird, because the incessant 

 persecution makes them wild. Every feathered 

 thing is ruthlessly shot down ; even little fly-catchers, 

 not much bigger than a bumble bee, are blown to 

 pieces a lout portant. Between the cruelty of this 

 " chasse " and our fashionable pigeon-shooting there 

 is little to choose. Both show a brutal indifference 



20A 



