MIGRATION 117 



after year to the same island or sand-bank for the 

 purpose of laying their eggs. When the conditions 

 remain the same it is probable that all land-reptiles 

 spend their lives very close to one spot. Snakes are 

 noted in autumn as gathering to^yard their hibernating 

 places. 



Turtles, however, migrate from pond to pond, 

 either on account of drought or to hunt new fields for 

 feeding, etc. They soon find out a new pond, if it be 

 suitable for a home. The author has seen directly 

 after a rain quite a " flock " of little mud-turtles 

 half a mile from any body of water. 



With the exceptions of the groups of turtles often 

 seen sunning themselves on a log, and the bundling 

 of snakes in hibernating, reptiles are not known to 

 be very social or gregarious. However, sea-snakes 

 go in shoals, as do some fishes. Reptiles may call to 

 each other at the social season in some faint wav — 

 even the snakes having, perhaps, some little voice 

 besides their hiss. It is fairly certain that mother- 

 snakes signal in some manner to their young. The 

 rattlesnake is said to use its rattle as a call to its mate, 

 as well as a threatening implement or a warning. It 

 is supposed by many students that this rattle is not 

 in any way intended for the benefit of the foe, Init 

 for the snake's own good ; that while animals are 

 really warned of their danger in a way which they 

 Avill heed, the snake also is therebv saved from a 

 battle and the usual fatal consequences. 



Though poisoned to the death, nearly anything 

 that attacks a rattlesnake kills it before the poison 



