DO SNAKES FASCINATE THEIR VICTIMS ? 71 



However, in a few minutes lie became quieter, settled 

 down, and thrust his head amidst his coils. 



We now opened the cage and drove the birds towards 

 him again and again. They passed over his body. This 

 roused him ; he would stretch out his head and his mouth 

 close to the duck or the hen, whichever happened to be 

 nearer. Shortly he settled down again, and so, as it was 

 evident he didn't intend to feed to satisfy our curiosity, we 

 had the prey removed, and determined to make him wait a 

 few days longer, expecting that enforced starvation would 

 sharpen his appetite. 



That the fowl and duck should be at first disturbed by 

 the new surroundings was not in the least surprising, but 

 they certainly were not spellbound. On Monday, October 

 22nd, 1888, at five p.m., two fowls and a duck (the latter 

 and one hen our former friends) were placed in the Python's 

 cage. He seemed less excited than on the former occasion, 

 and hardly noticed them at all. We drove them about, and 

 they strutted over or perched upon the body of the snake. 

 Very shortly, whilst the two hens were actually perching 

 upon him, he raised his head and sniffed at them, as it were. 

 One hen resented this proceeding, or mistook his delicate 

 tongue for a worm, and pecked at him. This so astonished 

 him that he suddenly darted his head back, and with such 

 abruptness that the movement startled the hens. During all 

 this time the duck was squatted down close by the side of 

 the Python, and evidently seemed to be settling down for a 

 comfortable roost through the night, fast coming on. 



The hens cackled and strutted about, and evidently had 

 not the slightest conception of the presence of a direful foe. 

 As matters seemed to be going on very quietly, we (Colonel 

 Jones, Dr. Shaw, Mr. Charbonnier, and the two keepers and 

 I) drove the birds about ; and now occurred a very ludicrous 



