NINTH ANNUAL REPORT. 



185 



HEADS OF RATTLESNAKE AND EGYPTIAN COBRA. 



The great difference of outline between the heads of the V'iperine and Colubrine snakes is 

 strikingly marked. 



upward. The Moccasin was finally removed unharmed, and the 

 large, harmless Water Snake was quietly placed in the cage. To 

 the human observer it matched the ]\Ioccasin closely, and made a 

 show of temper considerably more emphatic than the former, but 

 the Cobra attacked it without an instant's hesitation and soon 

 swallowed it. This experiment was repeated, and always with 

 the same result. The Cobra appeared to instantly distinguish the 

 dangerous character of the poisonous snake. 



Of all species of snakes under the writer's observation, the 

 King Cobra is the most intelligent. Its actions indicate quick 

 reasoning. A slight movement at the door of its cage will bring 

 it rushing to the opening, where it prowls about, nosing and in- 

 serting its tongue along the frame, in the anticipation of food. 

 This snake has been frequently observed, as the feeding period 



