SEEING A SNAKE FEED. 37 



for the time breathed less regularly, and now requires to 

 take in a fresh supply of air. In this act you see the two 

 jaws extended to an enormous degree, almost, indeed, to 

 form one straight line perpendicularly. In such condition 

 the teeth are well out of the way, and the adjustable ribs, 

 expansile covering, and loose head bones render them not 

 insurmountable obstacles to an escape when the prey is 

 uninjured. 



One sometimes hears of the egg-stealing snakes, cobras, 

 etc., when surprised and pursued, first relieving themselves 

 of their plunder before they attempt to escape. Often it 

 may be observed, when two snakes are in a cage together, 

 and both get hold of the same frog or rat, that they each 

 advance upon it till their heads meet, when either the stronger 

 or the larger snake will gain the day, and finish his frog, 

 and then proceed to swallow his friend ; or else one will 

 relinquish his hold, when, even in those few minutes, the 

 half-swallowed prey will be completely disguised in the 

 mucous saliva which has already enveloped it. 



Some snakes, though not quarrelsome at other times, 

 for some reason inexplicable to the looker-on, persistently 

 set their heart on the same bird or frog, though many are 

 presented for their choice. In a pair of Tropidonoti at the 

 Gardens this occurs almost every week ; and in such instances 

 the keeper keeps a sharp watch over them ; for as neither 

 snake will relinquish its capture, the one that begins first 

 comes in contact with the head of his comrade, who will 

 assuredly be swallowed too, were not a little moral, or rather 

 physical coercion in the shape of a good shaking adminis- 

 tered. Sometimes both get their ears boxed, figuratively; 



