386 THE WORLD OF ANIMAL LIFE 



times preys upon young birds, whicli it takes from their nests at 

 night. In confinement, too, it has been known to kill and devour 

 frogs and even mice. The poison with which its jaws are charged 

 is almost as potent as that of some snakes, and a victim, when 

 bitten, succumbs to its deadly influence in the course of a very few 

 minutes. 



THE HUNTING SPIDER (Family AxTlD^) 



There are still two very interesting spiders, both of them 

 natives of Great Britain, which we ought to notice. The first of 

 these is the pretty and active little Hunting Spider, which is also 



Hunting Spiders 



known as the Zebra Spider, on account of the black and white 

 stripes upon its body. In all parts of the kingdom it is very 

 plentiful, and on a sunny day may be seen running briskly about 

 on almost every tree-trunk, window-ledge, fence, and wall. 



This is one of the spiders that spin no web. It possesses 

 silk-glands, however, and makes incessant use of them, for it never 

 moves, even for a single step, without leaving a silken thread behind 

 it. Sometimes this thread proves very useful, for in leaping upon 

 its prey the spider occasionally misses its footing. If it should 

 meet with such a mischance, however, it is prevented from falling 

 by its line, which checks its descent and serves as a ladder up 

 which it can climb. 



The hunting spider is gifted with wonderful craft and agility, 

 and contrives to approach its victims so silently that they are 

 not aware of its presence until it leaps upon them and secures 

 them. 



