148 



THE SWAN AND HER CREW. 



its tail when it chooses. If it is seized by the hand or other- 

 wise annoyed, the tail separates from the body and commences 

 a series of war-dances on its own account. While you are 

 occupied in observing this, the body quietly and expeditiously 

 moves away out of danger. Snakes and vipers live on frogs, 

 small birds, &c., when they can catch them. The slow-worm 

 lives almost entirely upon the white garden-slug. 



SLOW-WOKM. 



Jimmy's arm and side were very much swollen and inflamed, 

 and it was quite a week before he was free from pain. The 

 doctor said that if the olive-oil had not been used he would 

 have suffered very much more from the bite, and the con- 

 sequences might have been serious, for Jimmy had not a 

 strong constitution. He was very careful after that of putting 

 his hand into a bird's nest without getting a look into it first. 



