The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-08-22
Snakes and their Prey.

In an exchange we see the lncldent
given below related as suggesting that
the commonly received idea OF the
power Of serpents to fascinate, proDa-
bly, had its origin in the peculiar tao
tics adopted by the snake in overcoming
its prey. The accounts state that
certain physician had in a case a PAIR
of yellow rattlesnakcS, captured While
in the lethargy of early spring.
During the first week Of their con-
iinement the Doctors rattlesnakes dis
dained to chase their game, and the
stupidity of the frogs and young birds
made it easy enough TO collar them
whenever they were wanted, but few
days ago the boys OF the neighborhood
caught an old blackbird and sold it to
the geological druggist for two pieces
of stick candy. The black snakes were
covered up with an old apron, TO pre-
vent their interference, and the rattle
tails, who had tasted for tWenty-four
hours rather than eat cOckrOacheS, got
one more chance at Il square meal.
After fluttering around in an excited
way for a while, the bird settled down
in a corner, and the two snakes pre-
pared for action. They lowered their
heads, and without moving the tail end
Of their bodies approached the bird by
gradual extension Of their coils; but
he was all suspicion and recommended
his futtering before their catl Ike adj
vance had brought them within range.
The snakes separated then, the female
rolled herself up in the centre of the
cage While her mate took post in The
blackbird's corner, but after readjust-
ing their coils, neither budged an inch,
they bided their time.
Dashing his head against the glass
walls seemed to tire the bird. After
awhile he came down, but alighted in
rather inaccessIbl place, took wing
again, alighted once more, and finally
Dlundered into the water pot, hoped
out with drenched wings, and devoted
few seconds t. the Encouragement of
his toilet, unconscious or needless of
his dangerous proximity to the female
partner of the hostile alliance. She
watched all his movements, and her
tail quiyered in a curious way when
she saw him poke his head under his
right wing, the one turned toward the
center Of the cage. She seemed to
know that he would repeat the same
man1uyre on the left wing side. lie
did 50, and she had him directly.
Drawing herself up, she poised her
neck like a dart, braced herself by con-
tracing the rear coils and let drive. A
loud screech, few feathers flying, and
a terrified bird rushing through the
cage like a blind chicken-cause and
effect coinciding with shot-like sudden
ness.
Instead of following him, she return
ed to her fayorite corner, where she
was soon after joined by her mate. The
difficult part of the job was done.
Three or four times the bird managed
to take wing. staggered around in
circle once or twice, and then sat still.
The chemicals began to operate. First
his legs and then his wings commenced
TO tremble till he dropped on his breast,
and only at that moment did the snakes
glide up TO take possession of their
prey. The same experiment was tried
with rat and two halfgrown chick
ems, and always with an analogous re-
suit. Ne animal likely to offer serious
resistance was captured outright by the
rattlesnakes. They managed to fetch
it a bite and let it so, relying on the
virus to do the rest.