The ass is at
enmity with the lizard, for the lizard sleeps in his manger, gets into
his nostril, and prevents his eating.
Of herons there are three kinds: the ash coloured, the white,
and the starry heron (or bittern). Of these the first mentioned
submits with reluctance to the duties of incubation, or to union of
the sexes; in fact, it screams during the union, and it is said
drips blood from its eyes; it lays its eggs also in an awkward manner,
not unattended with pain. It is at war with certain creatures that
do it injury: with the eagle for robbing it, with the fox for worrying
it at night, and with the lark for stealing its eggs.
The snake is at war with the weasel and the pig; with the weasel
when they are both at home, for they live on the same food; with the
pig for preying on her kind. The merlin is at war with the fox; it
strikes and claws it, and, as it has crooked talons, it kills the
animal's young. The raven and the fox are good friends, for the
raven is at enmity with the merlin; and so when the merlin assails the
fox the raven comes and helps the animal. The vulture and the merlin
are mutual enemies, as being both furnished with crooked talons.
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