1570 THE STORY OF THE UNIVERSE 







his body also does not contrast with neighboring 

 objects. From his head arise three movable fila- 

 ments formed by three spines detached from the up- 

 per fin. He makes use of the anterior one, which 

 is the longest and most supple. Working in the 

 same way as the Uranoscopus, the angler agitates his 

 three filaments, giving them as much as possible the 

 appearance of worms, and thus attracting the little 

 fish on which he feeds. 



All these methods of hunting or of fishing by sur- 

 prises are for the most part practiced by the less agile 

 species which can not obtain their prey by superior 

 fleetness. Midway between these two methods may 

 be placed that which consists in surprising game 

 when some circumstance has rendered it motionless. 

 Sometimes it is sleep which places it at the mercy of 

 the hunter, whose art in this case consists in seeking 

 out its dwelling. Sometimes he profits by the youth 

 of the victim, like all bird-nesters, whose aim is to 

 eat the eggs or to devour the young while still in<- 

 capable of flying. The animals who eat birds' eggs 

 are numerous both among mammals and reptiles, as 

 well as among birds themselves. 



The alligator of Florida and of Louisiana delights 

 in this chase. He seeks in particular the great boat- 

 tail (Quiscalus major) which nests in the reeds at 

 the edge of marshes and ponds. When the young 

 have come out and are expecting from their parents 

 the food which the chances of the hunt may delay, 

 they do not cease chirping and calling by their cries. 

 But the parents are not alone in hearing these ap- 

 peals. They may also strike the ears of the alligator, 



