INDUSTRIES OF ANIMALS. 



595 



and the ardor of the chase does not prevent him from being con- 

 stantly on guard. This is because the snake, finding himself 

 nearly overtaken, suddenly turns round, ready to use his defen- 

 sive weapons. The bird stops, and turns in one of his wings to 

 protect the lower parts of his body. A real duel then begins. 

 The snake throws himself on his enemy, who at each stroke par- 

 ries with the end of his wing ; the fangs are buried in the great 

 feathers which terminate it, and there leave their poison without 

 producing any effect. All this time with the other wing the sec- 

 retary repeatedly strikes the reptile, who is at last stunned, and 



FIG. 1. FIGHT BETWEEN THE SECRETARY BIRD AND A SNAKE. 



rolls over on the earth. The conqueror rapidly thrusts his beak 

 into his skull, throws his victim into the air, and swallows him. 



HUNTING WITH PROJECTILES. It has often been repeated that 

 man is the only creature sufficiently intelligent to utilize as weapons 

 exterior objects like a stone or a stick ; in a much greater degree, 

 therefore, it was said, was he the only creature capable of striking 

 from afar with a projectile. Nevertheless, creatures so inferior as 

 fish exhibit extreme skill in the art of reaching their prey at a 

 distance. Several act in this way. There is first the Toxotes 

 iaculator, which lives in the rivers of India. His principal food is 

 formed by the insects who wander over the leaves of aquatic 

 plants. To wait until they fell into the water would naturally 

 result in but meager fare. To leap at them with one bound is 



