190 FASCINATION. 



trick, by which, birds, pretending to be lame, seek to lure the intruder 

 from tlieir nest or from their young. But we were soon satisfied that 

 this was an entirely difi'erent case. The poor bird did not pretend to 

 be lame, but, on the contrary, was unusually active upon its legs. Its 

 movements, however, were very peculiar. It went in a zig-zag line first 

 to one side and then to the other, occasionally hopping forward, and al- 

 ways advancing. At the same time it continued to utter a chirp of great 

 distress. We soon perceived that its eyes were steadily fixed upon a 

 Copper-head snake 3 or 4 yards distant. The snake did not appear to 

 be disturbed by our intrusion, nor did it seem particularly intent upon its 

 prey, though its head was elevated from the ground about as much as 

 in its ordinary movements. I think there was also some motion of its 

 tail. One of our number went forward and captured the bird, which 

 was apparently rather relieved by getting into human hands, and soon 

 ceased to tremble, as it had evidently been doing when facing its savage 

 enemy. The snake was soon killed aa it neither made any resistance, 

 nor attempted to escape, though it appeared sufficiently vigorous, and 

 was about two feet long. Our sympathies were considerably excited in 

 favor of the bird, vvhich we took home with us, but it was finally sacri- 

 ficed to the health of an old gentleman who was just recovering from 

 an attack of sickness, and required some such delicate morsel to provoke 

 his appetite ! 



I cannot say that this bird was not under the influence of terror, but 

 it is remarkable that whilst in other cases, this as well as other animals, 

 flees from its enemies, it should here face its foe in so rash a manner. 

 Had not the bird appeared so manifestly alarmed, 1 should be disposed 

 to think that it was meditating a battle with its antagonist. We know 

 this class of birds to be possessed of no small degree of corage. Birds 

 are in the habit of devouring insects and worms, (from which a snake is 

 not so very different in appearance,) and we know that the common do- 

 mestic hen, will attack and kill a snake of very considerable size. I 

 merely throw out this suggestion for future inquirers, my own impres- 

 sion being, that at the time I saw it the bird was in great dread of its 

 adversary. 



I therefore agree with the great naturalist, that neither the breath, 

 nor enchantments of the serpent overpower its prey, but that, either 

 coming upon it stealthily, or confusing it by its sudden and formidable 

 appearance, it succeeds by means similar to those employed by other 

 rapacious animals. W.IVI. K. 



Pennsijlvania College. June 26. 184-5. 



