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 



