Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-02-19
JUSTICE TO THE SNAKES.
Eye witnesses OF 1hinys That Are De-
uiei by the Flippant.

Eye Witnesses OF Things That Are De-
MOD by the Flippant.
Two popular beliefs concerning tho
behavior OF certain snakes under cer-
tain circumstances have been very
positively met by some persons with
very fat and absolute denial that any
snake ever did anything OF the kind.
One thing largely believed and fire.
quently reported on the testimony OF
somebody else is the alleged fact that
some snakes at times exercise tho
power of charming or drawing to-
ward them by tho fixed power OF tho
serpent's eye small birds or squirrels
the purpose being to make u meal OF
the victim. This belief has been VIC.
hemently maintained and as vehe-
mently denied the denials being ac-
companied by the sheer: you didn't
see this yourself" 1t would seem
that those who firmly believe the re-
port-generally speaking on tho
strength OF the testimony OF some alb
sent friend in whose word they have
implicit trust-largely outnumber
those who deny; but among the latter
are u lew VINO PiVlooo w opOan Cd
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 it so happens that there are at
present living in Hartford two emin-
emily trustworthy men who can by
personal experience confirm the
actual truth Of both these stories says
the Hartford Times one having wit
messed the performance first named
and the other seeing the second.
Mr. Samuel Taylor of Charter Oak
place, when u boy OF l6, lived in
Glastonbury. There, when out in
the fields one day, his attention was
attracted by the strange actions OF
small bird-probably some ground
sparrow or perhaps 'chippy."
The bird paid no attention TO him as
he came near it but fluttered IN wild
and peculiar way on the path, some
times futtering up 10 n low twig.
foot or SO above the path and again
fluttering down, seemingly in great
distress and then tapping up and
down but all tho while 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 invest gate
things in the direction the bird
seemed 70 be aiming at and he dis
covered n blacksnake. The reptile
ives coiled and its head was some
what lifted above the coil. His gaze
was fastened upon the fluttering bird,
and his eyes were bright and glitter
ing. The specta or OF this remark
ab o scene waited until the reluctant
and distressed bird had advanced 80
near that he was not over yard from
the serpent. Then he intcrfered
Picking up stone he hurled it ut the
snake and killed him. The bird then
seemed dazed confused ana helpless.
Gradually it recovered and finally
flew out of sight
1t is needless to add that nobody
who knows Mr. Taylor will for mo-
ment question the truth OF his state
ment. He is one OF our best and most
respected citizens.
The other witness is Colonel I. w.
Prince, OF the Calling gun company.
Colonel Prince was a good deal OF
fisherman before he went into tho
war. Once he says while fishing on
stream not many miles from Au.
burn n. y. he went TO a hall hollow
stump near by to deposit his box OF
bait IN doing so ne disturbed
good sized snake in tho stump ap-
parenty an adder. about whose head
and body her young brood were dis
porting themselves. Instantly the
mother snake opened wide her mouth.
and down her throat ran the baby
brood, one on the heels (perhaps we
should say the tall OF the other.
Being confron ed by nat denial OF
this statement by Mr.. n. Starkweather.
OF this city Colonel Prince Indignantly
and firmly held his ground. 1t may
do to deny what other people have
reported be holly replied. but
what have seen myself l am sure
Of"