222 BIRDS 



turned its glossy black head with the beady rat-like eyes 

 toward the bird, protruded its forked tongue, then re- 

 sumed its leisurely serpentine journey and was soon 

 lost to view. At once the Thrasher seemed to regain its 

 mental equilibrium, flew to a nearby tree, ruffled its 

 feathers, shook its wings and disappeared into the nearby 

 thicket. 



The snake could have easily captured the bird and 

 was of sufficient size to have swallowed it without an 

 effort. If there is such a thing as a snake-charmed bird, 

 this Brown Thrasher was certainly that. 



