180 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
EGYPTIAN COBRA OR “ASP.” 
In its passive moods, there are no indications of a “hood.” 
OBSERVATIONS ON CAPTIVE COBRAS. 
Compared with the vast majority of other serpents, the snakes 
of the genus Naja exhibit a remarkable degree of intelligence. 
Their actions appear to be well premeditated. When alarmed 
they do not dash blindly away, as do most snakes, with an indefi- 
nite idea of simply placing distance between reptile and pursuer, 
but usually dart for some place suggesting shelter, a small open- 
ing or crevice. Such actions also demonstrate a more highly 
developed sense of vision than most serpents seem to possess. 
To assert that the species of a genus possess a considerably 
higher degree of intelligence and a more acutely developed sense 
of sight than appears in others is to make an important distinc- 
tion, but to demonstrate that mere theory based upon desultory 
actions observed in individual specimens has no part in these 
conclusions, the writer cites various psychological experiments 
made with Cobras now in the Reptile House. 
Experiment No. 1; Egyptian Cobra (N. haje)—A small 
wooden box, with thin, sliding top, was placed in the cage with 
the serpent. The lid of the box was left partially open, and into 
the box for the greater part of the day the reptile retired to hide. 
