344 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



was approaching. Moreover, strange rumblings have 

 shook the ground so frightening the wood rats and 

 agoutis they could not be found in places accessible to 

 the snake. But these troubles are apparently over. 

 The night is brilliant and though the lagoon steams 

 slowly, the mists float away among the tree tops. 



Suddenly the snake's eyes dilate and it glares fixedly 

 ahead. 



Then comes a shadowy something down the trail, half 

 running, half jumping, with numerous stops. 



Drawing the scaly body into a series of loops the rep- 

 tile waits. 



Again its body colors blend with the surroundings 

 while the glitter of its eyes might well be mistaken by the 

 unwary for drops of dew scintillating in the moonlight. 



Nibbling here and there upon a tender sprout, the 

 quarry approaches. It is a young agouti, an animal 

 having kinship with the rat, but in looks and actions re- 

 sembling a deer in miniature. This little creature has 

 just left its wary parent. She has tried to keep her two 

 careless youngsters with her on high ground but the lit- 

 tle fellows, only a short time weaned, persist in rollicking 

 from her side and into the thickets where danger lurks. 

 With limpid eyes half closed and nostrils dilated, as 

 there is a feeling that all in the glade is not to her liking, 

 she watches one of the precious family searching for 

 food in the hollow. With a tremulous crooning sound 

 she entreats its return, but curiosity has prompted the 

 young animal to explore. Just ahead a bed of bright 

 toadstools must be examined, and a little way off some 

 tender sprouts look inviting. 



The little creature is so lost in the enjoyment of the 

 ramble that the mother's calls are unnoticed until a 

 strange scent causes it to stop and sniff in imitation of 



