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. leYaillant 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 
the 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 
