BIRD ENEMIES 217 



was too frightened to try to fly, and I carried it 

 nearly a mile before it flew from my open hand." 



If these observers are quite sure of what they 

 saw, then undoubtedly snakes have the power to 

 draw birds within their grasp. I remember that 

 my mother once told me that while gathering wild 

 strawberries she had on one occasion come upon a 

 bird fluttering about the head of a snake as if held 

 there by a spell. On her appearance, the snake 

 lowered its head and made off, and the panting bird 

 flew away. A black snake was killed by a neigh- 

 bor of mine which had swallowed a full-grown red 

 squirrel, probably captured by the same power of 

 fascination. 



