THE SNAKES 301 



To test the truth of this statement, the writer made the 

 following experiment : — 



A large, thick-bodied, harmless water snake, Tropido- 

 notus taxispilotus, and a poisonous water moccasin, An- 

 cistrodon piscivorus, of much the same proportions and 

 coloration, were selected for the experiment and at a 

 time when the King Cobras were voraciously awaiting 

 their weekly meal of a snake apiece. The door of the 

 cage was opened and the poisonous snake thrown in. 

 There was the customary rush for the food. Upon 

 reaching it, both snakes abruptly paused. This was the 

 first time in their feeding they had failed to immediately 

 seize and fight over a snake thrown into their cage. The 

 moccasin was permitted to remain in the cage for about 

 five minutes, during which time the cobras reared well 

 above it out of harm's way, regarding it intently. To 

 find if they were hungry, a common striped snake was 

 thrown to each. The little snakes were grasped and 

 swallowed at once. The moccasin was again introduced. 

 There was the same rush and inspection of the new- 

 comer, and the pit viper, thoroughly annoyed by the 

 rough treatment, showed fight. At this display the 

 cobras backed off warily, spreading their "hoods" and 

 rearing higher. The moccasin was finally removed 

 unharmed and the big water snake substituted so quietly 

 the cobras for the moment failed to note what had been 

 done. To the human observer, the innocuous water 

 snake looked more villainous than the poisonous moc- 

 casin ; it showed emphatic signs of temper as the cobras 

 drew near, but they attacked it without hesitation. Sat- 

 isfied with the result and seeking to avoid a combat, 

 the writer threw in a smaller water snake and forced the 

 smaller King Cobra to release the snake used in the 

 experiment ; upon doing this it glided over to the newly 



