NINTH ANNUAL REPORT. 185 
HEADS OF RATTLESNAKE AND EGYPTIAN COBRA. 
The great difference of outline between the heads of the Viperine and Colubrine snakes is 
strikingly marked. 
upward. The Moccasin was finally removed unharmed, and the 
large, harmless Water Snake was quietly placed in the cage. To 
the human observer it matched the Moccasin closely, and made a 
show of temper considerably more emphatic than the former, but 
the Cobra attacked it without an instant’s hesitation and soon 
swallowed it. This experiment was repeated, and always with 
the same result. The Cobra appeared to instantly distinguish the 
dangerous character of the poisonous snake. 
Of all species of snakes under the writer’s observation, the 
King Cobra is the most intelligent. Its actions indicate quick 
reasoning. A slight movement at the door of its cage will bring 
it rushing to the opening, where it prowls about, nosing and in- 
serting its tongue along the frame, in the anticipation of food. 
This snake has been frequently observed, as the feeding period 
