It was evident that something was impeding his flight.

The snake was no longer hanging from his talons.

The reptile had twined itself around his body; and its glistening folds, like red bands, could be seen half-buried in the white plumage of the bird! All at once the kite began to flutter--then one of his wings disappeared; and, notwithstanding the hurried flapping of the other, both bird and serpent fell heavily to the earth! They fell close to the spot from whence they had risen.

Neither was killed by the fall, nor, to all appearance, hurt; for, the moment after they had touched the ground, both were seen engaged in a violent struggle--the bird evidently endeavouring to free himself from the folds of the reptile, while the latter seemed equally bent upon holding him! The snake knew well that this was its only hope; for, should it unfold itself and endeavour to escape, it would only give the kite an opportunity of clutching it a second time, when he would be certain to do it with more fatal effect.

It was because the reptile had buried its head in the grass that the kite had failed in seizing it properly by the neck, and putting an end to it at once.
This, no doubt, was the idea of the snake; but it is probable that its antagonist at the moment would have been delighted to "cry quits" with it, for the bird was in a worse "fix" than it was.