THE RETURN OF THE BIRDS 29 
The parent birds, in the mean while, kept up 
the most agonizing cry, —at times fluttering furi- 
ously about their pursuer, and actually laying hold 
of his tail with their beaks and claws, On being 
thus attacked, the snake would suddenly double 
upon himself and follow his own body back, thus 
executing a strategic movement that at first seemed 
almost to paralyze his victim and place her within 
his grasp. Not quite, however. Before his jaws 
could close upon the coveted prize the bird would 
tear herself away, and, apparently faint and sob- 
bing, retire to a higher branch. His reputed pow- 
ers of fascination availed him little, though it is 
possible that a frailer and less combative bird might 
have been held by the fatal spell. Presently, as 
he came gliding down the slender body of a lean- 
ing alder, his attention was attracted by a slight 
movement of my arm; eying me an instant, with 
that crouching, utter, motionless gaze which I be- 
lieve only snakes and devils can assume, he turned 
quickly, —a feat which necessitated something like 
crawling over his own body, —and glided off 
through the branches, evidently recognizing in me 
a representative of the ancient parties he once so 
cunningly ruined. A few moments after, as he lay 
carelessly disposed in the top of a rank alder, try- 
ing to look as much like a crooked branch as his 
supple, shining form would admit, the old vengeance 
overtook him. I exercised my prerogative, and a 
well-directed missile, in the shape of a stone, 
brought him looping and writhing to the ground. 
