FIGHT BETWEEN SNAKES. 335 



upon the coils of the snake, and springing aside 

 instantly. If the assault has been performed with 

 precision, the snake will be found cut to pieces. 



The black snake attacks the poisonous crotalus in a 

 somewhat similar manner. The rattler coils himself up 

 while the non-venomous creature glides round and 

 round the foe with great rapidity — both combatants 

 hissing like small steam-engines. The rattlesnake 

 attempts to follow the rapid circular movements of its 

 foe, but is unable to do so, and despairingly drops its 

 head to the ground — perhaps feeling a little giddy from 

 such unaccustomed exercise. This is the moment for 

 which the black snake has been watching and waiting ; 

 . and in a moment it darts in, seizes its adversary by the 

 back of the neck, and then the struggle begins. The 

 black snake throws coil after coil around its foe, as they 

 roll over each other, while the rattlesnake vainlv 

 endeavours to extricate himself. In a few minutes the 

 rattlesnake lies motionless. The black snake cautiously 

 uncoils himself, and after giving a triumphant hiss over 

 his foe, disappears from the scene; generally to the 

 banks of the nearest stream. 



During the summer months they generally go about 

 in pairs ; so that if one is killed the hunter had best 

 look out for the other. This habit is not confined to 

 the raljjesnake. Most venomous species observe the 

 same rule. A negro slave in St. Domingo once took 

 advantage of it to perpetrate a foul crime. 



