1857.] Fascination. ' 546 



it ia the rear, so that the birds could only approach it in front. 

 They were as adroit in their attacks, as it was resolute in its defense. 

 The snake, in attempting to seize them, could not curve to either 

 side so as to follow their motions, but invariably shot forward 

 in a straight line. The birds, in advancing to the attack, by a cir- 

 cular movement were certain of being away from the point at which 

 it aimed, and when its hideous jaws smacked together, where it ex- 

 pected its prey, it had nothing in its grasp. 



This contest lasted, after I reached the spot, about twenty-five 

 minutes by the watch. Once or twice during the contest, the snake 

 made a movement to escape up the hill side, but the birds, as at its 

 first attempt, immediately brought it into position again. At last, 

 seeming to despair of success in securing a dinner in that locality, 

 the snake darted off down the hill, towards a grove of bushes and 

 trees, nor turned to the right or left. The birds swept after it peck- 

 ing, scratching, and striking with their wings, as if inspired with 

 the consciousness that victory was theirs. At this moment I rushed 

 forward and attempted to kill the snake, but my stick broke at 

 the first blow, without injuring it. I then jumped upon it with my 

 feet, hoping to crush its head with my boot heels. In this I failed 

 also, but confused it so as to prevent its escape until I snatched up 

 another club. With a well-directed blow in the region of the heart 

 about four or five inches from the head, I laid it quiet, and proceed- 

 ed to cut it open. There was not a particle of food from one end 

 of the intestinal canal to the other ; it must therefore have been 

 hungry, and if it possessed the power of charming, it would un- 

 doubtedly have employed its powers on such a delicacy as these birds. 



When I had finished the dissection, the birds were not to be seen. 

 It was the season when their young were in the nest, and doubtless 

 the conflict which had just terminated, had been waged for the pro- 

 tection of their offspring. Less active birds, venturing as close to 

 the snake, must have been captured and swallowed. 



Remaining the most of the summer in the mountains of North 

 Carolina, frequent opportunities were afforded of inquiring of hunt- 

 ers, and others, what they knew about serpents charming birds. All 

 believed that they possessed the power of fascination ; and several 

 had witnessed such encounters as I have described ; but none had 

 ever seen the snake eat the bird. They had watched until the bird, 

 as they supposed, was trying to thrust its head into the mouth of 

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