LURKING FOR PREY. 215 



leaves. Here it is evidently intending to lurk 

 for bird or insect which may alight within 

 reach. At times it is swayed violently back and 

 forth by the stiff breeze, but seems in no manner 

 alarmed at the motion. Climbing the fence I 

 pass around and close beneath it. Again it 

 makes no movement, but the stony glare follows 

 my every motion. Once or twice it gapes, long 

 and deep, seemingly from ennui, and without 

 darting forth its tongue. The white throat and 

 fore belly and the spotted or checkered under 

 . parts glisten prettily in the sunlight as its perch 

 is swung to and fro by the breeze. Finally I 

 pinch its tail gently to cause it to move. This 

 has the desired effect. Slowly and gracefully it 

 makes its way down to the fence and along the 

 rails to the nearest angle, where it descends and 

 is soon lost to view in the marsh grass bordering 

 the stream. 



Clumps of the black willow 11 in many places 

 lean gracefully over the flowing water of the 

 stream. The trunks of the larger trees have the 

 bark furrowed and rough, resembling somewhat 



11 Salix nigra Marsh. 



