72 DO SNAKES FASCINATE THEIR VICTIMS ? 



incident. The duck settled himself down amongst the coils 

 of the snake, and then attacked the snake by pecking at 

 .some loose bits of a portion of the unseparated slough on 

 the snake's body. The positions of victim and victimizer 

 were reversed ! As the keeper, Sage, did not like the idea of 

 £ill the birds being removed, one hen was left as a solatium ; 

 but I think theoretically we may opine that the snake was 

 really thankful to be relieved of two-thirds of his tormentors, 

 and would probably have preferred the absence of the 

 remaining third, for it turned out that the Python did not 

 feed. 



On Saturday, October 27th, a little after five p.m., the 

 keeper placed the duck in the cage, several of the former 

 witnesses being present. 



Almost immediately the duck waddled over the snake's 

 body, who seemed to resent the intrusion by stretching out 

 his head in a lively manner ; but a sudden peck of the duck's 

 beak, followed up by an attack on the body of the snake, 

 speedily sent the inquiring head back again amongst the 

 coils. There seemed no fascination here ! 



We left the duck in the cage, and we all thought it would 

 have disappeared by morning. At the same time a young 

 rabbit was placed in an '^ Aboma's " cage close b3^ The 

 snake stretched out his head in a very quiet, subtle manner 

 towards bunnie, who shoAved not the slightest alarm. When 

 the keeper visited the house next morning both duck and 

 bunnie had disappeared. • On Friday, November 2nd, a duck 

 was given to the Python, who seemed very lively ; and a 

 little while later, the white hen w^as also put in. Neither 

 birds showed the slightest alarm. 



At the same time two little rabbits were placed with the 

 Aboma. They were not in the slightest degree disconcerted, 

 and one actually played with and fondled the snake's head. 



