256 HOME LIFE ON AN OSTRICH FARM. 



crept between the folds for warmth, and which he had 

 unconsciously crushed to death. 



Cobras, some of which are quite six feet in length, are 

 very numerous in the Karroo. At certain seasons this 

 snake is very aggressive, and will come at you boldly 



if you happen to be between it and its nest. T , 



when out shooting one day with a pointer, suddenly saw 

 a cobra lift itself up and strike the dog. The venom 

 was so swift in its operation that the poor animal only 

 turned round once, and died almost immediately. 



The schaapsticker, which always reminded me of the 

 beautiful but deadly coral-snakes of South America, has 

 a wonderfully-marked skin, the pretty pattern and 

 bright tints of which might well be utilized by some 

 artistic designer of floor-cloths. A delicate, coral-like 

 red predominates among the colours ; and altogether 

 the creature is so small and pretty that it is difficult to 

 believe it is one of the most venomous of snakes. It 

 is particularly destructive to cattle and sheep, hence 

 its name, the literal translation of which is "sheep- 

 stinger." 



Some of the tree-snakes, too, are very beautiful ; 

 and, many of them being of the same bright green 

 as the foliage, a close look is required to distinguish 

 them as they lurk beneath it on the watch for birds, or 

 for little mice which sometimes climb up into bushes, 

 or into the lower branches of trees. 



Lizards are very plentiful throughout the Karroo ; 

 and, as you walk through the veldt, hundreds of them, 

 startled by your footsteps, dart away in all directions 



