76 



KEARTONS' NATURE PICTURES 



KINGKD SNAKK ON THE ALKKT. 



The female lays from fifteen to twenty 

 eggs of about the size of those produced 

 by a domestic pigeon. As many as 

 thirty, or even forty, have, however, 

 occasionally been found. They are 

 connected together by a glutinous sub- 

 stance, and deposited in a heap of 

 manure, or collection of decaying leaves, 



and left to be hatched by the natural 

 heat of such situations, aided by the 

 warmth of the sun. If frightened 

 whilst curled up sunning itself on a 

 sheltered bank, the Common Snake 

 timidly glides away for cover, but its 

 track is frequently betrayed by the 

 peculiar rustle of dead leaves over or 

 through which it may be passing. 

 When pursued it generally emits an 

 offensive odour, which I have known 

 to prove very disagreeable to a too 

 inquisitive puppy. 



Not long ago I had a young snake of 

 this species sent to me which had two 

 heads. 



In the autumn Grass Snakes glide into 

 holes under the roots of trees and other 

 sequestered places, where a number of 

 them will remain coiled together until 

 roused to activity again by the warmth 

 of spring sunshine. 



