228 Zoologica: N. Y. Zoological Society [I; H 



ment was repeated, and always with the same result. The cobra 

 appeared to instantly distinguish the dangerous character of the 

 poisonous snake. 



Of all species of snakes under the writer's observation, the king 

 cobra is the most intelligent. Its actions indicate quick reasoning. 

 A slight movement at the door of its cage will bring it rushing to the 

 opening, where it prowls about, nosing and inserting its tongue along 

 the frame, in the anticipation of food. This snake has been fre- 

 quently observed, as the feeding period was approaching, to assume 

 the graceful attitude of its kind — head and neck upraised to the level 

 of the small plate-glass window in the door of its cage — and follow 

 intently, with turning head, the movements of the keepers in the 

 passage behind the cages. 



In serpents, such actions are unusual. They appeal more to 

 mental faculties exhibited by mammals. In numerous other instan- 

 ces the writer and his keepers have noted the unusual intelligence of 

 king cobras. Their apparent sagacity, together with the possession 

 of fangs, and probably the most virulent poison of all snakes demands 

 the greatest caution on the part of those who maintain a collection 

 of living specimens. While feeding, the king cobra not only dis- 

 plays considerable cunning, but also great agility. When a snake is 

 placed in the cage, the cobra dashes upon it, seizes it by the middle 

 of the body, and within a few seconds' time the fangs have done 

 their work. Snakes, however, are rather slow to succumb to the 

 venom of these reptiles. On the part of the victim there is vigorous 

 opposition to being thus treated. The cobra is repeatedly bitten, 

 but it regards with stoical indifference the superficial wounds inflicted 

 by the teeth of its prey, and continues working the body of the snake 

 along in its jaws with the idea of reaching the head, which portion is 

 swallowed first. Sometimes the quarry is seized near the head, and 

 in such cases it soon disappears down the cobra's throat. Frequently 

 however, the cobra has some trouble in working its jaws toward the 

 victim's head. At such times the larger reptile pauses often, and 

 awaits an opportunity of seizing the other by the neck. If the 

 attacked snake makes a movement to bite the cobra on head or neck, 

 there is a counter movement of great rapidity. The body is released 

 and the approaching head is seized with astonishing quickness, after 

 which performance the engulfing process begins without more ado. 

 The fine representative of this species in the Reptile House has 

 no aversion to taking snakes that have been freshly killed. Its good- 



