74 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



A Crafty Python. 



I was fortunate enough once to witness a most remarkable 

 occurrence. I was lying concealed in the midst of some tangled 

 scrub near a still pool in a densely wooded valley, studying the 

 habits of various species of birds, and all was as silent as the grave, 

 with the exception of the occasional twittering and calls of birds. 

 Suddenly a Red Natal Duiker Buck [Cephalophus natalensis) 

 emerged from amidst the leafy shrubs, right opposite to where I 

 lay. It cautiously and timidly looked around to make sure all 

 was safe, stooped and began drinking. Suddenly the water was 

 lashed into foam. Considerably startled, I rushed to the edge 

 of the pool, and there at the other side was a Python in the shallow 

 water with the buck in its coils. The struggle was fearful, but 

 it ended in the snake smothering the antelope. When the 

 victim ceased to resist, the snake laboriously dragged it to the 

 shore, and after resting awhile, constricted it afresh, evidently 

 to elongate the body to make the swallowing process as easy as 

 possible, and then began eating at the head. After the head, neck 

 and shoulders had disappeared down the snake's throat, I carefully 

 crept round through the bush, and pouncing upon the Pj^thon, 

 smashed its head and backbone with a quick succession of blows 

 from a stout stick. 



The Python had evidently submerged itself in the water, and 

 was effectually concealed from view by the various water plants. 

 On the approach of the buck it had silently sunk its head under 

 the level of the surface of the water, and when the buck bent 

 its neck to drink, those cruel recurved teeth had seized it, and 

 next instant the victim was in the deadly coils of the serpent. 

 We ate some of the buck at our camp that night, and a leopard 

 sneaked off the rest. However, we got even yni\\ it next day, 

 for we traced it to its lair with the aid of our fox-terrier dogs, 

 killed it, and took its hide off as a trophy. 



Pythons Swallowing People. 



I have read and heard many travellers' tales about Pythons 

 swallowing people, but I have never known of a case which was 

 thoroughly authenticated. I have been told scores of times by 



