300 RAMBLES ABOUT HOME. 



Perhaps snakes do charm birds, as is popularly sup- 

 posed but I don't believe it ! 



Thus far, I have never been able to determine the 

 maximum length to which a black-snake may grow. 

 Years ago, I started a discussion upon this point in a 

 weekly paper, but soon had occasion to regret my temeri- 

 ty. The stories that were told were beyond the lim- 

 its of all possibility, and, though gravely assured that 

 black-snakes ten feet long had not only been killed but 

 actually measured, I am free to confess that I don't 

 believe it ! 



In regard to the length of snakes generally, it is safe 

 to say that, with timid people, a great deal depends upon 

 the direction in which the snake was moving at the time 

 it was seen. As my observing old friend Uz Gaunt once 

 said to me, " When snakes come towards folks, every foot 

 looks a yard long." 



Within the bounds of my usual rambles I have never 

 but the once chanced upon that exquisite creature, the 

 green or summer snake. The locality is not, I suppose, 

 to their liking, though I sincerely wish that it was. 



The one specimen that I saw was captured and kept 

 alive for several months. It became very tame, and evi- 

 dently recognized me. Although allowed considerable 

 liberty, it did not seem to be very active during the day, 

 but was restless in the evening. It seemed to be more 

 sensitive to cold than any other of our snakes, and re- 

 mained under its little blanket when the day was rainy, 

 or a strong east wind prevailed. It fed upon flies, which 

 it would take from my hand, seizing them very leisurely, 

 and swallowing them deliberately. There was nothing 

 of the snap and gulp of a salamander or toad about the 

 process. When, however, the snake went fly-hunting on 



