Norton] THE SNAKE 27 



habits or characteristics — though all are really such — may be a 

 trifle better, for interest may be more quickly aroused. For 

 examples : the king is immune to Crotaline poison ; the pine, and 

 others of course, is very valuable economically; the indigo, or 

 gopher, is beautiful and an even better "pet" than the king; the 

 hog-nose, snakes, often called and mistaken for some imaginary 

 species of deadly "adder," have a habit of play-possum; the milk, 

 that never had anything to do with such a drink; or one of the 

 "faker" snakes that "mimic" the marking and coloration of the 

 Elaps. But these points, if not already known, may be gleaned 

 with a few hours reading. The Reptile Book, by R. L. Ditmars, is 

 an excellent authority. If none of the above species seem avail- 

 able and only "black" and "garter" snakes are seen, select one of 

 the latter. The "garters" are more satisfactory in captivity. 

 The "black" may act disagreeable. 



Perhaps some readers have been asking: "But how are the 

 specimens to be procured?" Well, they might be purchased, 

 though in any but an extremely congested center this is unneces- 

 sary. Even at that, right among us there are often snakes. 

 Central Park, in New York City, has its quota of perfectly good 

 "wild" snakes. It would be much better, cheaper and more 

 exciting to collect and "tame" your own specimens. 



Go into a field, thicket or woods on a bright day and there you 

 will find him, sunbathing, investigating the dried-up brook bottom, 

 on a log in the swamp or a bush at its side, among the clover, by the 

 brook, drinking perhaps, almost anywhere in pursuit of a toad, or at 

 the foot of a bush. But you must see with the eyes of a sea-gull, 

 unless the surprise is mutual, and tread so quietly that the cricket 

 by the path will not stop his fiddling (I have been able to do this 

 but twice out of many trials). I think of nothing more exciting 

 than looking for snakes. And how many more there are than we 

 had supposed! 



You surely can recognize the dangerous snakes, if there are any 

 in your "hunting ground." By the way, what is the dangerous 

 snake nearest you? If you can not recognize them, I'd wait until 

 I'd learned. 



The innocuous snakes can be taken with perfect safety with the 

 hands, providing you can approach near enough. But if dubious, 

 heavy boots and leggins with thick clothes and gloves may be 

 worn, while a long-handled, short -forked stick (for pinning the 



