424 DAN BEARD'S ANIMAL BOOK 



old eagle always gives some preparatory whistles 

 before he can decide upon action, so when 

 I heard him, I grabbed my glasses and started for 

 the shore of the pond. As I was hurrying along 

 I was conscious of 



SOMETHING MOVING ALONGSIDE OF THE PATH, 



and as is my habit under such circumstances I im- 

 mediately stood perfectly still, then turned my head 

 very slowly and carefully to search for the object. 

 As I looked around I saw within a few inches of 

 my foot a beautifully spotted 



YELLOW AND BROWN SNAKE 



which I at first glance mistook for a milk snake, 

 then I noticed the snake's head and it was that of 

 a rattlesnake. More careful inspection disclosed 

 the fact that 



THE SNAKE'S TAIL WAS VIBRATING 



in an alarming manner. There was not the least 

 doubt of it. The snake within a few inches of my 

 feet was a rattlesnake, which had just shed its skin. 

 We had had incessant rains for more than a week 

 and although the snake moved its tail as rapidly 

 as possible the rattle would not rattle ; and no noise 

 that I could hear proceeded from it. I have often 

 heard that rattlesnakes during continued wet 

 weather 



