ANIMAL BEHAVIOR, WITH EXAMPLES 231 



The instinctive dread and curiosity displayed by birds 

 toward snakes is very deeply rooted, and it is even shown in 

 our domestic chickens, some of which rarely or never see snakes. 

 One day I saw some half-grown fowls in our yard gathered 

 together in a comical semicircle with their necks craned, star- 

 ing intently at some object on the ground. When I went to 

 inquire as to the cause of their curious attitudes, I found them 

 viewing a moderate sized garter snake which was coiled up 

 in the grass, apparently more frightened than the chickens. 

 After this experience I could always tell when a snake had 

 been discovered by the chickens, as a silent conference by them 

 always took place at the sight of a snake. That this apparent 

 hatred for snakes is not confined to birds, but extends to the 

 human species as well, was shown when I caught the innocent 

 garter snake above referred to. Two persons who were standing 

 by demanded that it be killed at once, without a thought of 

 its possible usefulness on the grounds. It is needless to say 



that I let it have its liberty. I have given a picture of this 

 much maligned but innocent snake, that a better acquaintance 

 with it may be had by the reader. The birds may have at 

 times a real grievance against the blue racer, but it, too, is a 

 harmless species, and is very useful to the farmer because it 

 is destructive to mice and other rodents. I trust that with a 

 more intimate knowledge of all our common snakes the deeply 

 rooted superstition which seems to be almost general among 

 human beings will be largely dispelled. Harmless snakes 

 generally seem to be as much despised as the birds are loved, 

 even in this day of enlightenment. 



