112 CONFESSIONS OF A BEACHCOMBER 



gave unique advantage during tliis entertainment, one of 

 the tragedies of Nature, or rather the lawful execution of a 

 designing and crafty criminal. Within ten minutes the 

 performance was repeated for the third time, and then 

 either the supply of snakes ran out or the bird was 

 satisfied. He shrewdly glanced this way and that, craning 

 and twisting his neck, and seeming to adjust the lenses of 

 his eyes for near and distant observation. No movement 

 among the leaves seemed to escape him. Two yards and a 

 half or perhaps three yards of live snakes constituted a 

 repast. At any rate, after twenty minutes' passive watchful- 

 ness, he sailed,up over the trees and away in the direction 

 of his home in the socialistic community of the shining 

 calornis. 



The white-headed sea-eagle is a deadly foe to the 

 pugnacious sea-serpent also. On the beach just above 

 high water-mark was the headless carcase of one that must 

 have been fully 5 feet long, and while it was under 

 inspection an eagle circled about anxiously. Soon after the 

 intruders disappeared the bird swooped down and resumed 

 his feast, and presently his mate came sailing along to join 

 him. The snake must have weighed several pounds, and 

 apparently was not as dainty to the taste as the green 

 arboreal variety, for after two days' occasional feasting 

 there was still some of the flesh left. 



Shrewd as is the observation of the white-headed sea- 

 eagle he is not exempt from blunders. Though he pounces 

 with authoritative certainty and precision, he does not 

 discriminate until the capture is complete, between the 

 acceptable and the unacceptable. Generally whatsoever 

 is seized is carried off, apparently without inspection. 

 Perhaps the balloon fish is the only one that is promptly 

 discarded. The sea porcupine {Diodon), which shares with 

 that repugnant creature the habit of exemplifying the 

 extent to which the skin of a fish is capable of distention 

 without bursting, is frequently picked up from the shallow 

 water it favours. Short sharp needles stand out rigidly from 

 its skin, forming a complete armament against most foes. 



