258 • THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



intent upon securing their eggs or babies. Presently the snake 

 reached the nest, whereupon one of the hawks flew fiercely at the 

 serpent and gripped it with claws and bill. Instantly the snake 

 struck out, again and again, and threw a coil or two round the 

 bird. Down came the two, hurtling through the branches to the 

 ground. The bird was either killed by the fall or the snake's 

 venom, but its powerful claws were still embedded deep in the 

 reptile's flesh. The snake struggled fiercely to release itself, but 

 before it could succeed I killed it. 



On another occasion, hearing a noisy clamour in a tree, I crept 

 silently forward and saw a Boomslang or Tree Snake approach a 

 nest and seize a fluffy baby bird. The youngster screamed and 

 struggled frantically, whereupon the parent bird, in a frenzy of 

 fury, flew at the snake. The reptile dropped the young bird, but, 

 alas ! it instantly gripped the brave mother. I ran forward, 

 but the crafty serpent glided off amongst the leafage and vanished 

 from sight with its victim. 



Wrong Conclusions. 



The ground-frequenting venomous snakes, such as the Cobras 

 and Vipers, frequently strike their prey and immediately release it, 

 knowing the potent action of their venom, and realizing the stricken 

 creature will be quickly overcome by the poison. When a rat is 

 introduced into a cage containing a Puff Adder or Cobra, the snake, 

 after striking the victim, releases it, and contents itself with 

 keeping it under observation. The rat, after being struck, grows 

 dizzy, runs here and there at random, and is quickly overcome by 

 the virulence of the venom. Often the bitten creature is instantly 

 paralysed. At other times the prey is gripped and held until it 

 is dead. 



Now, if a bird, whilst feeding upon the ground, is struck by a 

 venomous snake which has been lying in ambush, the victim 

 invariably flies up to the nearest branch or twig, screams, 

 flutters, sways unsteadily, and within a few minutes, being no 

 longer able to retain its hold, flutters down dying to the expectant 

 snake below, which in all probability, is intently watching its 

 movements. Sometimes, after being bitten, the bird instantly 

 loses the power of flight, and remains on the ground in front of the 

 snake, fluttering and screaming. 



