188 WILD LIFE UNDER THE EQUATOR. 
My old enemies the snakes were also quite abundant, 
and as we pushed through the woods we often saw sev- 
eral great anacondas hanging from a projecting bough, 
waiting their prey. I shot a little bird, a very curious 
one, which, in its fall, lodged among some vines. I was 
anxious to get it, and began to ¢limb up after it. Just 
as I was reaching out for my bird, a snake, belonging to 
one of the most venomous kinds found in these woods, 
stuck out his head at me from the thick vine foliage. I 
was very much startled, and dropped down to the 
ground without any loss of time. I could almost feel 
the reptile’s breath against my face. It was a great scare. 
People do not get over snake bites very easily, and I am 
sure you are not astonished that I was frightened. 
