332 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



mens are a dingy brown or black with little traces of the 

 markings. 



This is one of the most deadly of the North American 

 snakes. It is practically omnivorous, feeding upon 

 fishes, frogs, other snakes, birds and small mammals. 

 In captivity it outlives all other species. Some of the 

 author's specimens have been captive over twelve years, 

 breeding regularly. Several generations are living in 

 the Zoological Park. Ten to fourteen form a litter; 

 the young are vividly marked — pinkish, with red-brown, 

 white-margined transverse bands and a sulphur-yellow 

 tail. 



Some of the writer's most interesting snake hunts have 

 been in the Southern bayous. In his reminiscences the 

 Moccasin figures prominently. 



"Keep the boat steady and look yonder," w^hispers my 

 guide. 



Following the direction of his cautiously-raised and 

 pointing hand, a sight to enthuse the snake-hunter greets 

 my eyes. 



"A 'cotton-mouth' and an old timer," says the look- 

 out. 



Sunning its heavy folds on a gnarled and twisted tree 

 that rises from the cofFee-colored waters is a huge Moc- 

 casin. As our unwieldy craft glides toward it a sinister 

 head turns in our direction, the jaws open widely, dis- 

 closing the white mouth-parts, while the outlines of a 

 wicked pair of fangs show through their sheaths. Care- 

 fully manipulating the pole, we bring the "boat" to a 

 stop and advance the snake-noose on a long rod of bam- 

 boo. There is a quivering flash of the forked tongue 

 and the reptile, preferring security to combat, shdes with 

 the ease of flowing oil down the twisted branches and 



