224 THE VIVARIUM. 
are only seen as they glide rapidly away towards a safe retreat. 
Had they remained stationary, they would, perhaps, have been 
entirely unnoticed. It is strange how often animals bring cap- 
tivity, death, or loss upon themselves by moving, whereas, had they 
kept perfectly still, they would, in all probability, have run little 
or no risk of discovery. The bird reveals her nest by leaving it, 
and the Snake its presence by flight. Yet, on the other hand, we 
have the extraordinary bold, protective, and deceptive squatting 
of young plove1s and other aninals. 
Tf he who is about to set out on a Grass-Snake (7'ropidonotus 
Fig. 65.—TEETH MARKS OF NON-POISONOUS AND POISONOUS SNAKES. 
a, Diagram of tooth-marks of the four rows of teeth in the upper jaws of a non- 
venomous snake. 
b, A diagram of tooth-marks of the palate teeth (the inner rows) and of the poison 
fangs, and four simple teeth of a Colubrine Venomous Snake, e.g., Cobra di Capello. 
c, Diagram of tooth-marks of the palate teeth and fangs of a Viperine (venomous) 
Snake, e.g., a viper. 
d, Diagram of tooth-marks of lower jaw of almost any Snake. 
natrix, Fig. 65) hunting expedition knows so well the difference 
between the Viper and the Common Snake that he can recognise 
either at a glance, he needs no other equipment than a long or 
deep bag having a piece of string or tape sewn at its centre 
to the outside of the bag at a distance of about 4in. from the 
mouth, and a hooked stick. When a Snake is seen, if it can- 
not be caught at once, it should be hooked out into the open, if 
possible, seized with the hands, and placed in the bag, which is 
then tied up tightly by means of the string or tape round the 
neck. Care should be taken that all the mouth of the bag 3s 
gathered up and confined by the string, or an opening may be 
left which will give the Snake a chance of escape. After a little 
struggling the captured Reptile will generally lie so quietly at the 
