184 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
DILATED HOOD OF INDIAN COBRA. 
was rolled back, and the poisonous snake thrown inside. The 
Cobra made the customary rush for the food, but upon reaching 
the snake paused abruptly. 
This was the first time in the feeding of this King Cobra in 
our Reptile House that he failed to immediately seize his victim 
and begin to swallow it. The Moccasin was permitted to remain 
in the cage for about five minutes, during which time the Cobra 
reared slightly from the floor, and regarded it intently. To 
ascertain whether the Cobra was hungry, a common striped 
snake was placed in the cage. It was grasped and swallowed 
without hesitation. 
The Moccasin was again introduced. There was the same rush, 
and the same careful examination of the newcomer. ‘This time, 
annoyed by the unceremonious treatment it had received, the 
“pit-viper” showed fight. Upon this display of hostility the Cobra 
backed off hurriedly, nervously dilating its “hood,” and rearing 
