106 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



in passing, and the results will be none the less serious 

 that the blow has been given in fear and not in malice. 

 When its course lies fortunately in some other direction, 

 it then presents an interesting and beautiful sight. The 

 slender head is held high in the air, and sweeps forward 

 and sideways as the body glides over the ground in a 

 series of graceful undulating curves nearly at the pace 

 of a horse's gallop. At times nearly half the body seems 

 to be off the earth, and it is this method of progression, 

 so different from the wriggling movements of other snakes, 



A BLACK MAMBA 



which has given rise to the assertion that the mamba 

 " goes on its tail." 



It is found in bush and forest country and amongst 

 rocks. A great deal of its hunting is done among the 

 branches of trees, where it seizes small birds, squirrels, 

 and other arboreal creatures. It glides amongst the 

 twigs, and even from tree to tree, with wonderful speed 

 and ease, and its partiality for shade, when obtainable, 

 is soon discovered by any one who grows grenadillas or 

 other thick creepers. Ant-bear, porcupine, and other 

 burrows, discarded by their rightful owners, are used 

 as refuges, and therein, as well as in the hollow trunks 



