CROTALUS HORRIDUS. 



serpents,) have most frequently been observed to be under the 

 enchanting faculty of the rattlesnake, &c. Indeed, the be- 

 witching spirit of these serpents seems to be almost entirely 

 limited to these kinds of birds. Hence we so frequently hear 

 tales of the fascination of our cat-bird, which builds its nest 

 in the low bushes on the sides of creeks and other waters, the 

 most usual haunts of the black snake and other serpents. 

 Hence, too, upon the opening the stomachs of some of our 

 serpents, if we often find that they contain birds, it is almost 

 entirely those birds which build in the manner I have just 

 mentioned. 



" The rattlesnake seldom if ever climbs up a tree. He is 

 frequently, however, found about their roots, especially in wet 

 situations. It is said that it is often seen curled round a tree, 

 darting terrible glances at a squirrel, which after some time is 

 so much influenced by these glances, or by some subtle emana- 

 tion from the body of the serpent, that the poor animal falls 

 into the jaws of its enemy. Is the animal's fear and distress 

 a matter of any wonder ? Nature has taught different ani- 

 mals what animals are their enemies ; and as the rattlesnake 

 occasionally devours birds and squirrels, to these animals he 

 must necessarily be an object of fear. Sometimes the squirrel 

 drives away the serpent, but occasionally, approaching too 

 near the enemy, he is bitten or immediately devoured. These 

 hostilities, however, are not common. 



" In almost every instance, I have found that the supposed 

 fascinating faculty of the serpent was exerted upon the birds 

 at the particular season of their laying their eggs, or of their 

 hatching or their rearing their young, still tender and defence- 

 less. I now began to suspect that the cries and fears of birds 

 supposed to be fascinated originated in an endeavor to protect 

 their nest and young. My inquiries have convinced me that 

 this is the case. 



" I have already observed that the rattlesnake does not 

 climb up trees ; but the black snake and some other species 

 of the Coluber do. When impelled by hunger, and incapable 

 of satisfying it by the capture of animals on the ground, they 

 begin to climb up trees or bushes upon which a bird has its 

 nest. The bird is not ignorant of the serpent's object. She 

 leaves her nest, whether it contains eggs or young ones, and 

 endeavors to oppose the reptile's progress. In doing this she 

 is actuated by the strength of her instinctive attachment to 



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