Snake-Lore. 323 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
SNAKE-LORE—SNAKES SWALLOWING FROGS—SWIMMING— 
FOND OF MILK—TRAPPING SNAKES—FROGS CLIMBING— 
TOADS IN TREES—THE BROOK—THE HATCH—KING- 
FISHERS’ HAUNTS. 
THERE are three kinds of snakes, according to the 
cottage people—namely, water snakes, grass snakes, 
and black snakes. The first frequent the brooks, 
ponds, and withy-beds ; the second live in the mounds 
and hedges, and go out into the grass to find their 
prey; the third are so distinguished because of a 
darker colour. The cottage people should know, as 
they see so many during the summer ; but they have 
simply given the same snake a different name because 
they notice it in different places. The common snake 
is, in fact, partial to the water, and takes to it readily. 
It does, however, seem to be correct that some indivi- 
duals are of a blacker hue than the rest, and so have 
been supposed to constitute a distinct kind. 
These creatures, like every other, have their 
favourite localities; and, while you may search whole 
fields in vain, along one single dry sandy bank you 
