42 THE SECRETARY FALCON. 



them displays great intelligence. On approach- 

 ing them it carries forward the point of one of 

 its wings, in order to parry their venomous 

 bites, and waits till it finds an opportunity of 

 spurning or treading on its adversary, or taking 

 him on his pinions and throwing him into the 

 air. When he has at last thus wearied him 

 out, he kills and devours him at his leisure. 



M. le Vaillant witnessed one of these com- 

 bats. Finding itself inferior in strength, the 

 serpent endeavoured to regain his hole, but the 

 falcon, by a single leap, got before him, and cut 

 off his retreat. On whatever side the reptile 

 strove to escape, the enemy still faced him. 

 The serpent then erected himself to intimidate 

 thd bird, and, hissing dreadfully, displayed his 

 menacing throat, inflamed eyes, and a head 

 swoln with rage and venom. Sometimes this 

 produced a momentary suspension of hostili- 

 ties ; but the bird soon returned to the charge, 

 and, covering her body with one of her wings 

 as a buckler, struck her enemy with the bony 

 protuberance of the other. The serpent at last 



