The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-15
JUSTICE TO THE SNAKES.
Eye Witnesses of Things that are Denied
by the Flippant and Ignorant.

by the Flippant and Ignorant.
Two popular beliefs concerning the be-
havor of certain snakes under certain cir
cumstances. haye been very positively met
by some persons with a very fiat and abso-
Lutte denial that any snake ever did anything
OF the kind.
One thing largely believed and frequently
reported on the testimony of somebody else
is the alleged fact that some snakes at times
exercise the power Of "charming" or draw
ing toward them by the fixed power Of the
serpent's eve small birds or squirrels, the
purpose being 10 make meal of the victim.
This belief has been yehemently maln-
tanned and as vehemently denied. the de-
malls being accompanied by the sheer
"you didn't see this yourself" 1t would
seem those who firmly believe the report
generally speaking, on the strength OF the
testimony of some absent friend in whose
word they have implicit trust-largely out
number those who deny, but among the
latter are those who profess to speak as
scientists.
The other popular snake story Is that in
moments Of danger the mother snake, Of
some species, will open her mouth and her
brood Of babies Will run head first down her
throat. This, too, has been dismissed as an
idle tale.
Now il so happens that there are at pres
ent living in Hartford two eminently trust
worthy men who can by personal expert
ence confirm the actual truth Of both these
stories, one having witnessed the perform
ance first named, and the other seeing the
second.
Mr.. samuel Taylor, of Charter Oak Place,
when boy of sixteen. lived in Glaston-
bury. There, when out 10 the fields one
day. his attention was attracted 10y the
strange actions Of small bird-prObably
some ground sparrow. or perhaps 4
"chippy." The bird paid no attention to
him, as be came near 1t, but nuttered IN
wild and peculiar way on the path, some
times futtering up to a low twig. "A foot or
so above the path, and again iluttering
down, seemingly in great distress, and then
Tapping up and down, but all the while
slowly getting along in one direction.
As the bird paid no attention to the
boy. and did nothing to get away
from him, the lad began 10 investigate
things in the direction the bird seemed to
be aiming at, and he soon discovered
black snake. The reptile was coiled, and
its head was somewhat lifted above the coil.
His gaze was fastened upon the ilutterlng
bird. and his eyes were bright and glitter
ing. The spectator OF this remarkable scene
waited until the reluctant and distressed
bird had advanced so near that he was not
over a yard from the serpent. Then he in
terfered. Picking up stone, he hurled 1t
at the snake and killed him. The bird then
seemed dazed, confused. and helpless.
Gradually it recovered, and finally flew out
of sight.
It is needless TO add that nobody who
knows Mr. Taylor will for moment ques-
ton the truth Of his statement. He is one
Of our best and most respected citizens.
The other witness is Col. +. W. Prince, OF
the Calling Gun Company. Colonel Prince
was good deal Of a fisherman before be
went into the war. Once, he says, while
fishing on a stream not many miles from
Auburn, Y. T., he went 10 a half-hollow
stump near by to deposit his box Of bait.
In doing so he disturbed a gOOd-sized snake
in the stump, apparently an adder, about
whose head and body her young brood were
dspOrting themselves. Instantly the
mother snake opened wide her mouth and
dow, her throat ran the baby brood. one on
the heels (or perhaps we should say the tall
of the other.
Being confronted by fiat denial OF this
statement by Mr.. y. starkweather, of this
city. Colonel Prince Indignantly and firmly
held his ground. sit may do TO deny what
other people have reported" he holly re-
piled, but what | have seen myself am
sure Of"-IIartfOrd Times.