132 CAT-BIRD. 



" into & coil, ready for a blow; but the bird would cautiously 

 " circumvent him at a little distance, now and then running up 

 " to and snapping at him; but keeping at a sufficient distance to 

 66 avoid a blow. After some minutes it became a running fight, 

 " the snake retreating; and at last took shelter in the wall. The 

 " Cat-bird had young ones in the bushes near the field of bat- 

 " tie. 



" This may show the possibility of poisonous snakes biting 

 " birds, the operation of the poison causing them to become as 

 " it were fascinated. " 



