IN THE AMERICAN DESERT 



123 



stem of the pawpaw, and up the oak. In another moment 

 she was creeping out on the branch. 



When she was right over the nest she curled round 

 her tail, and let herself go. But it was no use. In vain 

 she swung herself backwards and forwards, stretching 

 herself out to her greatest length : the nest was still too 



THE MOCCASON SNAKE FASCINATES THE ORIOLES 



far away. The eggs she coveted were only a few inches 

 off, but they were as much beyond her reach as if they 

 had been miles away. At last, with a snort of disgust, 

 she swung herself back again, and came down the 

 oak. 



The young ones were soon unhooked from their station 

 on the pawpaw, and tucked away as before. Then, 



