622 



THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



what becomes of the alleged wonderful power of the serpent's eye ? Two birds were 

 apparently charmed at one and the same time by a single snake, and that a dead one. 

 The real fact is, that the so-called fascination is seen in perfection only during the 

 period of incubation, and while the birds are rearing their young. There is a marked 

 difference between the actions of the birds during this period and at other times. 

 Now, animals of every species either eat or are eaten by other species; and each race 

 has its own peculiar modes of attack, defence, and escape. The snake knows that 

 other animals hold him in great terror ; but that birds will approach him if he remains 

 perfectly still. When he perceives that the birds have seen him, he remains perfectly 

 still. The birds know that their young will approach the snake and fall a prey to him. 

 If it be in the breeding season, parental instinct or affection impels them to attack the 

 enemy, and so it often sacrifices its own life to save that of its offspring. Parental 

 solicitude overcomes its natural timidity. Indeed the birds on these occasions seem to 

 lose their senses altogether, precisely as a human parent might do under similar 

 circumstances." 



RATTLESNAKE CHARMING A RABBIT. 



>7/-if'''' 



Still, however, we must admit that the subject of snake fascination is in a measure 

 an open question. Mr. T. B. Thorpe, another close observer of the habits of the 

 animal world, is fully convinced of the existence of this power, and cites many inci- 



