134 THE GRAY SNAKE. 



doomed creature in its mouth, it leaps forward, flings itself over the victim, envelops 

 it with coil upon coil of its lithe body, so as to entangle the limbs and bind them to 

 the body, and, in fact, makes itself into a living lasso. One of these Snakes was seen 

 engaged* in battle with a hawk, and would apparently have conquered in the seemingly 

 unequal combat had not the foes been separated. It had grasped the hawk by one 

 wing, had dragged it to the ground, and had succeeded in disabling the terrible claws 

 from striking, when the sudden approach of the narrator alarmed the Snake, which 

 released its hold, darted into the bushes, and permitted the rescued hawk to fly away 

 in peace. 



The color of this Serpent is rather variable. Generally it is shining black above 

 and lighter beneath, with splashes of purple-brown. Sometimes, however, it is cream 

 or clay-colored, and occasionally has been seen almost white. But, whatever color may 

 be the body, the portion near the head is always raven-black. The length of this Snake 

 is about five or six feet. 



ANOTHER very slender Snake, also a native of America, is closely allied to the pre- 

 ceding species. This is the GREEN SNAKE, well known for its grass-green color and 

 its singular activity. 



The Green Snake is fond of climbing trees, traversing the boughs in search of food 

 with marvellous celerity, and darting at its insect prey through considerable distances. 

 So slender is this Serpent, that a specimen which measures three feet in length, will 

 barely reach one-third of an inch in thickness at its widest part. Partly owing to this 

 extreme delicacy of form, and partly on account of the leaf-green color of its body, the 

 Green Snake is not easily seen among the foliage, and in many cases would be undis- 

 covered but for its rapid and energetic movements. The food of this Snake consists 

 mostly of insects. It is very readily tamed, and many persons are fond of carrying 

 the beautiful creature about them, tying it round their throats as a necklace, or as a 

 bracelet on the wrist. The eye corresponds in beauty to the rest of the person, being 

 very large and of a beautiful topaz-yellow. 



The color of the Green Snake is delicate grass-green above, and silvery white below. 

 Its average length is about three feet. 



BRAZIL possesses a most lovely example of these Serpents, the EMERALD WHIP SNAKE 

 (Philodryas riridissimus). 



Dr. Wucherer, of Bahia, writes as follows concerning this pretty species in a letter 

 quoted by Sir J. E. Tennent, in his "Natural History of Ceylon :" "I am always 

 delighted when I find that another tree-Snake has settled in my garden. You look for 

 a bird's nest : the young ones have gone, but you find their bed occupied by one of 

 these beautiful creatures, which will coil up its body of two feet in length within a space 

 not larger than the hollow of your hand. 



They appear to be always watchful, for at the instant you discover one, the quick 

 playing of the long, black, forked tongue, will show you that you too are observed. On 

 perceiving the slightest sign of your intention to disturb it, the Snake will dart upwards 

 through the branches and over the leaves, which scarcely seem to bend beneath the 

 weight. A moment more, and you have lost sight of it. Whenever I return to Europe, you 

 may be sure that in my hothouse these harmless lovely creatures shall not be missing." 



The green color of this species is paler below than above. 



The GRAY SNAKE of Jamaica (Drbmicus ater) is another instance of this family. It 

 is often called the BLACK SNAKE, but as that title has already been employed, it is better 

 to use the popular name which is first mentioned. 



This reptile is extremely plentiful in Jamaica, where it is mostly found haunting 

 heaps of dead leaves, rocks, and buildings. It is especially fond of the crevices found 

 in old walls, and will lie for hours with its head and neck hanging out of some cranny, 

 partially awaiting the approach of any miserable lizard which may come within reach 

 while searching after flies. It is rather a savage ophidian, darting fiercely at its adver- 

 sary if irritated, and inflicting a wound which, though not dangerous, is very unpleas- 

 ant, and causes the limb to swell and ache for some time. It is said, that if it is 



