THE RETURN OF THE BIRDS 29 



The parent birds, in the mean while, kept up 

 the most agonizing cry, — at times fluttering furi- 

 ously about their pursuer, and actually laying hold 

 of his tail with their beaks and claws. On being 

 thus attacked, the snake would suddenly double 

 upon himself and follow his own body back, thus 

 executing a strategic movement that at first seemed 

 almost to paralyze his victim and place her within 

 his grasp. Xot quite, however. Before his jaws 

 could close upon the coveted prize the bird would 

 tear herself away, and, apparently faint and sob- 

 bing, retire to a higher branch. His reputed pow- 

 ers of fascination availed him little, though it is 

 possible that a frailer and less combative bird might 

 have been held by the fatal spell. Presently, as 

 he came gliding down the slender body of a lean- 

 ing alder, his attention was attracted by a slight 

 movement of my arm; eying me an instant, with 

 that crouching, utter, motionless gaze which I be- 

 lieve only snakes and devils can assume, he turned 

 quickly, — a feat which necessitated something like 

 crawling over his own body, — and glided off 

 through the branches, evidently recognizing in me 

 a representative of the ancient parties he once so 

 cunningly ruined. A few moments after, as he lay 

 carelessly disposed in the top of a rank alder, try- 

 ing to look as much like a crooked branch as his 

 supple, shining form would admit, the old vengeance 

 overtook him. I exercised my prerogative, and a 

 well-directed missile, in the shape of a stone, 

 brought him looping and writhing to the ground. 



