CHAEACTEE. 
107 
even to the largest cats. The beak was never used at 
these executions, and the rapidity and certainty of them, 
as well as the conviction that man himself could not with¬ 
stand such an attack, was productive of the greatest 
horror among the bystanders. This bird is very much 
feared by the natives of Brazil, who avoid any contest 
with it, and never hazard an attack, considering it 
too powerful for a single individual. 5 ’ Though this repre¬ 
sentation is decidedly exaggerated, it is, nevertheless, 
perfectly true that the Harpy is an excessively savage 
creature. One of these birds, kept in captivity at Rio de 
Janeiro, was observed to destroy any mammal which 
incautiously approached too near its cage; it killed 
another Harpy, and menaced people as well. 
Less terrible than the above, but still, comparatively, 
just as violent and bold, is the celebrated Tyrant 
Flycatcher (Tyrannies intrepidus ): it inhabits Northern 
America, and attacks the largest Eagles without hesita¬ 
tion, following them with untiring pertinacity and angry 
screams; it is at length left in possession of the field. 
The same thing occurs with its representative in the old 
world, the Drongo Shrikes of Southern Asia and Africa; 
these also drive away any bird of prey which may 
approach their nest or roosting-place; possibly this 
conduct is the result of the desire which small birds 
possess, in a remarkable degree, to tease and annoy all 
predatory animals. Eagles, Buzzards, Kites, and others 
of the less active birds of prey, are mobbed with loud 
cries by Water Wagtails and Swallows, while the more 
active (with the exception of the larger Falcons, who 
don’t seem to understand the joke) are treated in the 
same manner by Crows, Jackdaws, and some even of the 
lesser Falcons, who boldly attack them on all sides. 
