18 YEARBOOK, PUBLIC MUSEUM, MILWAUKEE [Vol. III. 



surrounding rocks) several other members of the party had located 

 snakes. We were then about three-quarters of the way up the hill, 

 and thus found ourselves, within the first half hour, in the midst of 

 half a dozen or more rattlesnakes, all wholly or partly concealed among 

 the rocks upon which we were standing and clambering. The wisdom 

 of being well shod for rock climbing was very apparent and we were 

 also careful not to place our hands upon the ground or to allow our 

 faces to approach too close to the rocks. High laced boots or heavy 

 shoes with leather puttees are a most serviceable i3rotection in this 

 work. 



The dull penetrating buzz of the rattles usually gave warning of a 

 snake's presence. With the specially designed tongs, alread}^ described, 

 the capture of the snake was a simple task. However, the whole pro- 

 cedure of seeking them out in their dens and picking them up while 

 actively squirming and protesting was not in any sense child's-play. 

 We were always conscious of the fact that we were catching rattle- 

 snakes and realized the ever-present danger as a penalty for careless- 

 ness. The average snake, when discovered, coiled or half-sprawling 

 under the edge of a protecting rock, made no special attempt to escape 

 but became exceedingly watchful of our movements and ready to pro- 

 tect itself. It would generally begin to rattle in a warning manner 

 whenever we approached to within about three or four feet, just the 

 proper distance for our tongs to nip it. Some would not make any 

 sound or movement until they were gripped by the tongs. Then they 

 displayed anger in the extreme. Care was taken to grip the snakes 

 well forward of the center of the body, preferably five or six inches 

 back of the head. Then the snake would invariably become a most 

 vigorously, squirming object, striking at the offending tongs or any 

 other object within its reach. With a grip secure enough to hold, but 

 not so tight as to injure the snake, it was easily dropped alive into the 

 field box. During the first forenoon we collected five rattlesnakes, not 

 a large number to be sure, but perfectly satisfactory progress for us, 

 for the greater part of our time was consumed in photographing the 

 reptiles. Anyone who has attempted to set up a tripod on a steep 

 slope covered with jagged rocks, some of which tend to tip or go bound- 

 ing down the hill, can well appreciate the time consumed in photo- 

 graphing these few snakes in their native haunts. We needed a full 

 series of photographs for our guidance in making the future museum 

 group, and the word was passed along not to disturb any snake until 

 after his picture had been taken. In general, it was found that real 

 good pictures of rattlesnakes, amid their rocky environment, were hard 



