History of Vermont, us 



Th£se are all the species of this kind of 

 animals, of which I have any account ; and 

 these ai'e but seldom to be met with in Ver- 

 mont. 



There is a curious phenomenon respecting 

 two of these species, which seems to desen^e 

 further inquiries. The farmers, and other per-^ 

 sons who frequently meet with the rattle snake^ 

 and with the black snake, seem universally to 

 believe that each of these animals,* have a pow- 

 er ofjascination ; or as it is commonly expres- 

 sed, of charming birds, and other small animals. 

 The account which is generally given, is this :■ 

 the snake lies stretched out his full length, in 

 some open place ; his head raised eight or ten 

 inches from the ground ; his colours glow with 

 their greatest brightness ; his eyes play with an 

 uncommon brilliancy, and fire ; and are steadi- 

 ly fixed on the enchanted animal. During this 

 scene, the bird appears to be in the greatest dis- 

 tress ; is constantly putting forth the most 

 mournful accents ; at the same time, is per- 

 forming a number of irregular circular motions ; 

 and at the end of each, approaches nearer to the 

 snake : this scene continues, and is incessantly 

 repeated, until the bird, without any power to 

 escape, comes within the reach of the voracious 

 jaws of the serpent, when it is instantly seized : 

 But if the snake is attacked, or so disturbed 

 during the operation, that his attention is turned 

 another way, the charm is broken ; and the 

 bird recovering his liberty, immediately flies oiF. 

 I have never myself seen any thing like this fas- 

 cinating scene ; but I have had accounts exact- 

 ly similar from more than a dozen persons, 



