THE RETURN OF THE BIRDS. 31 



The parent birds, in the mean while, kept up the 

 most agonizing cry, — at times fluttering furiously about 

 their pursuer, and actually laying hold of his tail with 

 their beaks and claws. On being thus attacked, the 

 snake would suddenly double upon himself and follow 

 his own body back, thus executing a strategic move- 

 ment that at first seemed almost to paralyze his victim 

 and place her within his grasp. Not quite, however. 

 Before his jaws could close upon the coveted prize the 

 bird would tear herself away, and, apparently faint and 

 sobbing, retire to a higher branch. His reputed pow- 

 ers of fascination availed him little, though it is possi- 

 ble that a frailer and less combative bird might have 

 been held by the fatal spell. Presently, as he came 

 gliding down the slender body of a leaning alder, his 

 attention was attracted by a slight movement of my 

 arm ; eying me an instant, with that crouching, utter, 

 motionless gaze which I believe only snakes and devils 

 can assume, he turned quickly, — a feat which necessi- 

 tated something like crawling over his own body, — and 

 glided off through the branches, evidently recognizing 

 in me a representative of the ancient parties he once 

 so cunningly ruined. A few moments after, as he lay, 

 carelessly disposed in the top of a rank alder, trying 

 to look as much like a crooked branch as his supple, 

 shining form would admit, the old vengeance overtook 

 him. I exercised my prerogative, and a well-directed 

 missile, in the shape of a stone, brought him looping 

 and writhing to the ground. After I had completed 



