172 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
direct into a vein killed another monkey instantly. The monkey 
was dead before the syringe needle could be withdrawn. 
CHASING A COBRA. 
One day I came across an adult Cobra in the bush. I followed 
it up through the tangled undergrowth, but every time I got 
within striking distance it veered round and showed fight. 
Finally I got in a blow, but it evidently only slightly wounded 
it, for it instantly swerved, and with extended hood made a 
quick dash at me. I aimeda wild random blow which missed, and 
next instant it was upon me. I felt a thud against my leather 
gaiter, and before it could strike again I smashed it. 
Examining my legging, I found the fangs had scored the leather, 
but had not penetrated it. The spot where it struck was 
bespattered with venom. 
A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. 
Cobras frequently climb trees in search of birds’ eggs and their 
young. 
A friend, who, like myself, was studying native birds and 
accumulating data about the colour, sizes, etc., of their eggs, was 
out with me on an expedition. Spying a Sparrow Hawk’s nest 
in the topmost branches of a great tree, he climbed up to see if 
there were eggs init. Reaching the nest he peered over its edge, 
when, to his horror, a Cobra reared from the nest, and with a 
fierce hiss lunged at his face. In his endeavour to avoid the 
blow he lost his hold and came crashing down through the 
branches to the ground, and lay stunned and bleeding. However, 
he got off very lightly with a broken arm and a multitude of cuts 
and abrasions. For many nights afterwards he would start up 
in his sleep with a terrifying cry and a blanched face. The 
sudden apparition of the Cobra had evidently made a strong 
mental impression which was slow to wear off. 
COBRAS VARY IN COLOUR. 
Cape Cobras vary considerably in colour, causing much-con- 
fusion in the public mind. Although so diverse in colouration 
