The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-01-23

Mountaiu, 10 Tennessee % the xSen o.
lime. 1851. When near Ncntodle SPRING.
tvo birds were noticed at . couple Of rods
distance from the road, which we're aet-
leg In q manner new and strange to me.
They we're in an open space, near the
lump Of fallen tree, but did not take
light at my approach, IS under ordinary
circumstances they would nave done. Do
,aching point opposite to them, Il vas
Noticed that they were the brown mock
ing. bird. or thrush, and that very large
black snaks lay coiled at the side Of the
stump.
On seeing me it suddenly began to M
coil itself and move of, - " 70 make its
escape, the bids at the same time pausing
a moment ia their movements. but De-
fore it had stretched itself 10 more than
half its length they we're again in motion,
and few at it in the most energstic man
ner. Instantly the snake cnoe more
whirled itself into coil in its former posi-
ton. The male bird then commenced to
ruu and skip with great activity, in a
semi-circle, the serpent being the center,
and gradually closed in until within . foot
or two Of it's coils, when, With sudden
dart forward. the bird thrust it's head for
ward toward that of the snake, and in
the same instant. threw itself backward,
alighting on the ground at the distance oil
about ten feet
Before the male had closed the feat,
the female had commenced similar set
of actions. All the movements of the
birds were made with extended wings, as
if ready to fy in a moment. By the time
the female had thrown itself back from
the snake, tbe male was 10 position again,
repeating the same movement as at first.
In the meantime my horse had carried me
some four or FIVE rods into a thicket Of
bushes, whittier my hand guided him,
and where dismounted and secured him
All this took place in minute or two !;
and as only an indIstincs view had been
gained OF the action OF Abe birds in pass
ing favorable position for observation
was taken, SO that all that occurred could
be noted.
Thu first movement Of the male bird, 10
thrusting its head forward INTO close con
tact with tn snake, impressed ME with
the conviction that a case Of the so-cslied
fascination was enactlng before me, and
determined to observe il in a philosophi.
cal manner.
1t was half-psst one O'CLOCK, P. NJ The
birds were still eager at york when
turned my eye upon them after the inter
ruption of hitching my borsp. They were
painting, as il greatly fatiguei by long ex
er,ion, but manifested not he least dis
position to remit their efforts. II no,
fascinated, they were SO earnestly enlisted
in the -affar on hand as to disregard eve.
rythng else around them.
The snake lay in its coil, with head
erect and thrown back, so Is to b. 10 the
best possible position to strike and seize
the birds q, they advanced The many
commissions of lts heightened; body moved
IN graceful curves, as its gli,tering head
followed their no ions lis eyes spanked
in the sunlight like the polished diamond
W te Its movements gave 70 its ever
shifting sc les the brilliant phues of the
rainbow. Again and again, AS the birds
approached 1t would strike IA them with
open mouth. exhibiting nalignity OF
disposition that portended death to them
bad they been seized in lis jsiws.
few minutes sutiiced to ahov ma, a
battle and ngt a scene Of fascination was
presented b-iose me. fbe bids, at each
approach, struck the snake with their
beass, or WITH their taions, when, gsner-
ally. but nct alwsy q. il dsrted forward at
them, only To ind chat it was aiming at a
movable target. This can b. easily ex-
planned. the snake ia striking could
never project itself more than, sbou. two.
thirds of its length, but it's jefense was
made with determined couraee Its no.
si,ion BY the stump protected it ia the
rear, so that the birds could only approach
1t IN front. They were as adr3it in their
attacks as il was resolute In It's deteDse.
In attempting.to seize them it, could MT
curve to either side after starting. 90 a.
to follow their motions, bu. invariabls
shot forward IN straight line TO tie
point they occupied when il made its
spriog.
The birds in advancing 10 thu attack by
peculiar movement were certain Of be-
ing away IRON the spot at whch it aiured
and when Its teeth smacked together
where It expected its prey, j, had nothing
in its grasp,
Ths warfare lasted, after reached the
spot, about twenty-five miautes Nv the
watch. Once or twice during the contest
the reptile made movement a. escsne I'M
the hillside, but the birds, A. at It's first
attempt, immediately brought it. into posi-
tion again Al last, seeming to despair of
success IL securing dinner n tina, n.
cslity, it darts off down The Hill towards
grove OF trees and bGshes, nor turned
to the right or left. The birds swept af.
ter 1t, peck z, scratching and striking i,
with their wings. as if inspired, With the
consciousness that victory was theirs.
AT this moment rushed forward and,
after some difficulty, killed the snake and
cut 1t open. There was no. particle of
food from one end to the other uf the IN
tessine canal II must therefore bava
been hungry, and if ii possessed the fac.
uity OF charming it would undoabtedly
have employed it's powers on such q deli.
cacy IS these birds.
When the dissection of the snake va.
flushed tbs birds were not n ha go.