58 NATURE'S STORY OF THE YEAR 



by the first warm rays of spring, and at such a 

 time is most often exposed to attack of bird or 

 beast. One chilly afternoon a blindvvorm had 

 climbed half-way up a bramble-bush, the lower part 

 of which was shaded by a wall ; and there, on 

 some closely-grown twigs, the reptile had so coiled 

 itself as to obtain the most advantage from the 

 pale sunshine. On another occasion, while resting 

 on a steep mossy slope, I saw a blindworm ap- 

 proaching by way of a grassy mouse-track. I put 

 my hand in his way and he did not seem afraid of 

 it, but, when he came to it, coiled underneath it 

 and remained there for ten minutes at least, doubt- 

 less enjoying the unexpected warmth. Probably, 

 gradually enlivened with the heat, he became 

 aware of the strangeness of the situation, for he 

 slowly withdrew and passed away. 



The blindworm is not well-named, for it has 

 pretty eyes and lids to close them a feature not 

 found in serpents ; and although habitually slow 

 of movement, it can really travel faster than either 

 snake or lizard. On two occasions I have known 

 one, lying easily observable, to disappear with such 

 lightning speed that I could not in the least tell 



