250 DENIZENS OF THE DESERT 



when found during the day, they are seen 

 wound tightly about the bases of shrubs or 

 tightly coiled up in a compact little mat or pad 

 in the shade. If able to find some slight de- 

 pression, they curl up in that, quite often utiliz- 

 ing the hoofmarks made by cattle. These their 

 coiled forms just about fit. 



As soon as the sun goes down, they begin to 

 wander abroad upon the warm sands. Walking 

 along the railroad tracks at this time of day I 

 have often found them stretched along the 

 flange of the hot rails absorbing the heat from 

 the fast radiating steel. Because of the side- 

 winder's nocturnal habits I have never fancied 

 desert travel by night in summer, especially 

 when afoot. All experienced desert travelers 

 feel much the same as I do in so far as I can 

 learn. The rattle of this snake is small and 

 seldom used, and there is nothing to warn one 

 of its presence. The great Mammoth Wash 

 at its southeastern end of the Salton Sink is a 

 place where sidewinders are especially abun- 

 dant, and it has a most evil reputation even 

 among the oldest "desert rats/' as the veteran 

 prospectors are called. They avoid traveling 



