22 



YEARBOOK, PUBLIC MUSEUM, MILWAUKEE 



[Vol. III. 



especially keen of one observed under the base of a large boulder in the 

 woods. The snake, a perfect counterpart of the dead brown leaves 

 upon which it was resting, was wide awake and well aware of the 

 writer's approach and yet made no attempt to rattle, move, or in any 

 way to disclose its presence. Not until the iron tongs were actually 

 pinching its body, did the reptile move or show its anger, but when it 

 did one could have no doubt of its identity. It seemed to be the very 

 incarnation of viciousness as it twisted, squirmed and repeatedly 

 struck at the tongs. This serpent had been in an excellent position 

 from which to strike at the lower limbs of a person passing close by the 



Fig. 9. — Captive rattlesnakes in pen. 



side of that boulder and certainly would have done so without giving 

 a warning. 



During this day there were obtained over a dozen snakes; we had 

 located a typical setting for our proposed museum group, had taken 

 many photographs and accomplished much in color sketching. In a 

 remarkably short space of time, therefore, we had achieved the princi- 

 pal objects of the trip. 



On the morning of the third and last day, the den was again visited 

 in order to obtain certain additional photographs and Mr. Tyrrell con- 



