Evening star., 1899-01-28
Are a Great Nuisance in Some Parts
of the South.
PREFER THE HABIThFIONS OF MEN
Some of Them Are Better Mousers
Than Cats or Dogs.
II y BITS AND METHODS
From the Chicago Tribune

men In the swamp regions Of the south
where ahouuds what is commonly known
as the highland moccasin, the deadli,.st Of
its species. the serpent chooses for its home
the dry places beneath the residences ~
the people. The soil is so moist. and quick
sands 80 numerous that cellars are out of
the question. The moisture Of the air calls
for free ventilation under the low pitched
floors. which stand scarcely eighteen inches
above ground. For this purpose small holes.
usually the size Of single brick. are left
at short distances I'm the surface founda-
tions. and # is by these ports that the
ophidians find ingress and egresS
Thence they sally forth 10 their feeding
grounds. not disdaining in their Journeys TO
and fro 10 visit the chicken houses In quest
of eggs, and they have been known to
swallow a baby chicken now and then
Their ordinary food. however, IS rats. mice
small lizards, beetles and bugs OF various
kinds, grubS. &c.
Did they confine their habitatious TO tie
under part of the houses the human dwell
ers might accept the situation with a uu'as-
ure of equanimity; but they SEX much
closer association with men. one cnrpUl-
ters them in the halls on the stairways
and i'm the various rooms OF the buildings.
If cne be nervous, he is slow 10 enter a
darkened room and cast himself upon
lounge, or Nasy chair because, next fn a
hiding place beneath pillow. or bed COW
eFing, moccasins most affect these cozy
spots Of rest. Jf seen and awakened they
are prompt to glide down and make their
way out, for they have an intuitiEp per
ception that they are ny no means vel
come; but the consequences might be fatal
were Cne to sit or lie down upon one of
these sinister creatures. This has hap
pened not infrequently. and woe to that
man or that woman through whom the
offense came. if they have not a plentiful
supply of whisky. the one accepted anti
dote, ready to hand.
Looking for Intruders.
In that portion Of the world the woman
who retres for the night looks. not like her
sister of the north, for a burglar beneath
the bed. but for "A reptile intruder beneath
the pillow or coverlid. There one has to
guard gainst lifting the family wash. or "A
rug. or any other thing. beneath, or within,
or up which a snake nay conceal itself.
Besides, one is continually bobbng up in
the most unexpected of PAGES. kissing. Coil-
ed and ready to strike. OF course, constant
warfare Is made upon the reptiles: hut they
are prolific, and no amount of persecution
can drive them away from man, their con-
slant and relentless Zoe.
There is little doubt they might he easily
domesticated and readily form attachment
for mal. The prejudice of the latter. how
ever. coupled with his well-grounded fear
of the poison concealed beneath its fangs,
will prove always bar to such intimacy.
AddeFs. vipers and black snakes likewise
affect the habitations of men. The bites Of
these. however. are rarely fatal. indeed. It
is doubtful if a well-authenticated case OF
death from the poison of the last named
has been foInd. This agile reptile, which
belongs really to the constructor family. is
ugly in the season OF lovc-March and April
and may infiict al that time a wound that
is intensely painful and slow OF healing.
IL. however. has no poison sac and no
fangs. Wipes and adderS belong to tho
family of venomous reptiles. and their
dc .l...l
seek the closet. the sideboard. pantry and
kitchen. rather than the sitting and tbs
sleeping rooms, but may be found in amy
part of the house. The adder esncciaIly
chooses the fodder stack and fodder loft
and men are struck freql emily in the hand
by ii when engaged in drawing out their
provender for the horses.
Bfacksnakcs Are Common.
Blacksnakes are numerous as roses in
Sharon in all that southern belt. A visit 70
a newly cleared tract of ground early in
March, when the sun shines warm and the
wind blows chill from the northwest Will
reward the searcher richly; for. COLES, up
close against the south or sunny side OF
nearly every stump. may be seen "A blue
racer" Qocal name for the backsnakc).
scarcely yet fully released from thu rigor
of Information, but vicious to a fault and
ready enough for fight, In which il is
SUR to be vanquished.
A lad of fourteen made short tour
through one of these tracts. and later at
dinner informed his mother that the morn
ing had beeh good ore for racers. adding
that he must have Killed more than 100
feet of them. People down that WAY are
accustomed to good snake stories that do
not need exaggeration for interest point,
but the father united with the mother IN
the statement of the youngster
huh of piide as well honor. the boy,
thoroughly nettled at this imputatfon uDon
his veracity. went out to a neghboring
q a ma To- 81
one of the mules from the pillow and accnm-
pany him to the new ground. Having pro-
Vlded hims II previously with whipcord ne
hed the head OF one reptile to the tail of
another until he rad fastened together
thirty-six in all. Then he tied the head
OF the FIRST 10 the tail of the mule which
was urged forward. dragging after il 2iC
feet OF snakes. Reaching the house he
released the mule and the negro and then
with infinite pains and labor formed a
great coil of the serpents upon the floor
OF the piazza Having ended his labors.
he triuinphantly summoned his parents 10
the spot The mother at sight of me ap-
gresauon, with characteristic feminine fear
OF the wretches tainted dead away Tbs
iather ted the lad 10 the woodshed hut the
little fellow bore the infiiction stoicaliy.
because he had proved himself reracious
Catch Rats and Mice.
Blacksnakes, for reasons best known ia
themselves, and probably because field mice
do there abound, are found in greatest
abundance in fields of ripening wheat. Pos.
sessing the faculty of raising themselves-
OF their heads. rather-high up In air, their
repulsive visages may be seen here and
there peering just above the spiked heads
Oh the golden grain, spectacle so awe
some to the Graders in the region r.
ferred to the wheat is cut by hand-that
they will enter upon their work only after
the most direful threats upon the part o.
the overseer. The fear Of the negro is
groundless at this season. early in June,
as the snake is then innocUous, and fees
quickly at the approach of man.
This reptile will give the terrier or cat
big odds and then distance IL in the matter
Of catching rats. Because OF its skill deN-
terity and patience in this enterprise farm
ers gladly avail themselves OF the services
OF blacksnakes Every well-regulate,. barn
one or more. which wage a year
round warfare against the rodents A
blacksnake can enter any hole frequented
by rat; Il will lie sim longer than a cat
while waiting for its prey, and In fact IS
as certain In its results as il is vora cious in
its appetite. After Staying the rat, winch
Il does by coiling about IL and crushing it's
bones, the snake bites and tears of its head
and swallows the carcass whole.
This snake has been tanned repeatedly.
has shown strong attachment FOR its mas