34 THE INDUSTRIES OF ANIMALS. 



Struggles that terminate the hunt. — It is not always 

 sufficient for the hunter to find game and to reach it. 

 If the game is of large size it may be able to hold its 

 own, and the pursuit may end in a violent struggle, 

 in which both skill and cunning are necessary to 

 obtain conquest. 



The Bald Eagle of North America {Halideius leu- 

 cocephahis) hides himself on a rock by the edge of a 

 stream and awaits the passing of a swan. This eagle 

 is brave and strong, but the palmiped is vigorous, and 

 though inferior in the air, he has an advantage on 

 the water, and may escape death by plunging. The 

 eagle knows this advantage, so he compels the swan 

 to remain in the air by attacking him from below 

 and repeatedly striking his belly. Weakened by 

 the flow of blood, and obliged to fly, not being 

 able to reach the water without finding the sharp 

 beak which strikes him, the swan succumbs in this 

 unequal combat, which has been vividly described 

 by Audubon. 



The bird who displays the most remarkable qualities 

 in this struggle which terminates the chase, exhibiting 

 indeed a real fencing match, is the Secretary Bird 

 {Gypogeranus reptilivorus. Fig. 4) He is the 

 more interested in striking without being himself 

 struck since the fangs with which his prey, the 

 snake, is generally armed might at the first blow give 

 him a mortal wound. In South Africa he pursues 

 every snake, even the most venomous. Warned by 

 instinct of the terrible enemy he has met, the reptile 

 at first seeks safety in flight ; the Secretary follows 

 him on foot, and the ardour of the chase does not 

 prevent him from being constantly on guard. This 

 is because the snake, finding himself nearly over- 



