184 



NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 





I Ml \ I I li IK >( H) ( )!■• IXDi.W (■( iliKA. 



was rolled l)ack, and the ])()is()n(>us ^nakc llirtiwn inside. The 

 Col)ra made the cnstomarv rush for the food, hut ii])on reacliing" 

 the snake ])ause(l abru])tlv. 



This was the first time in the feedint;^ of this Kin_<j Cobra in 

 our Reptile House that he failed to immediately seize his victim 

 and begin to swallow it. The Moccasin was jiermitted to remain 

 in the cage for about five minutes, during which tinu' the Cobra 

 reared slightly from the floor, and regarded it intently. To 

 ascertain whether the Cobra was hungry, a common striped 

 snake was placed in the cage. It was grasped and swallowed 

 without hesitation. 



The Moccasin was again intn iduced. Tlure w as the same rush. 

 and the same careful examination of the newcnmr. This time, 

 annoyed by the unceremonious treatment it had rcceivi'd. the 

 "pit-vi])er" showed fight. Cpon this dis])lay of hustilitx the Cobra 

 backed off hurricdh', nervf)nslv dilating its "hood,"' and rearing 



