THE MODUS OPERAND!. 47 



one for nearly ten minutes before I could induce it 

 to take wing, and then it ceased flying the moment 

 it noticed that I discontinued the pursuit. 



When the secretary bird is attacking a small snake 

 one under three feet in length, suppose it con- 

 ducts the encounter in a most summary, off-handed 

 manner, apparently treating the poison-fanged foe 

 with the greatest nonchalance. It is done in this 

 way : With a few hurried steps, and the head and 

 neck lowered, the assailant advances, and, when within 

 reach of the enemy, it draws itself up to its full 

 height, then presents the tip of one of its wings to 

 the reptile, which rapidly strikes at it. This is again 

 and again repeated, but the venomed teeth come 

 into contact with nothing but the quill feathers. 

 Snakes apparently are easily fatigued and unaccus- 

 tomed to excitement and violent exercise, so their 

 activity and caution gradually decrease, till, in an 

 unguarded moment, they lay themselves open, , and 

 the powerful foot of the enemy is placed upon their 

 body near the head, pinning it to the ground, and 

 in another instant its brains are laid open. But 

 when a large reptile is to be dealt with, the tactics 

 of the encounter are differently conducted. I was 



