Snakes in Birds Nests. 339 
nest a gentle thrust with a stick first before putting 
the hand in, lest they should grasp a snake instead of 
eggs. The snake is also accused of breaking and suck- 
ing eggs—some say it is the hardset-eggs he prefers ; 
whether that be so or no, eggs are certainly often 
found broken and the yolk gone. When the young 
fledglings fall out of the nest on to the ground they 
run great risk from snakes. 
When sitting in a punt in summer, moored a 
hundred yards or more from shore, I have often 
watched a snake swim across the lake, in that place 
about 300 yards wide. In the distance all that is 
visible is a small black spot moving steadily over the 
water. This is the snake’s head, which he holds 
above the surface, and which vibrates a little from 
side to side with the exertions of the muscular body. 
As he comes nearer a slight swell undulates on each 
side, marking his progress. Snakes never seem to 
venture so far from shore except when it is perfectly 
calm. The movement of the body is exactly the 
same as on land—the snake glides over the surface, 
the bends of its body seeming to act like a screw. 
They go at a good pace, and with the greatest 
apparent ease. In walking beside the meadow 
brooks, not everywhere, but in localities where these 
reptiles are common, every now and then you may 
see a snake strike off from the shore and swim across, 
twining in and out the stems of the green flags till he 
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