WILD LIFE 97 



trary more alert, more sensitive to the earth-tremors 

 that warn him of an approaching danger, than at any 

 later period. It is certain, too, that the females, when 

 heavy with young in June and July, are much less 

 wary and quick to slip away than at other seasons. 



In spring, especially in March, when winter is still 

 in the air, the adder must find a sheltered spot 

 looking towards the sun ; and whether on a bank, or 

 at the side of a furze or bramble bush, or on the 

 lower part of any sloping ground, the young spring 

 grass, or the old pale dead grass and leaves of last 

 year, serve to show him up. Once your eye has 

 caught and distinguished his form, it looks strangely 

 conspicuous — a something separate from the vegeta- 

 tion it rests upon. He is like a richly coloured or 

 brightly embroidered garter, or ribbon, dropped by 

 chance on the pale colourless ground. Seeing him 

 thus, looking so startlingly bright, so separate from 

 his surroundings, one is apt to imagine that careful 

 Mother Nature has not been so careful of her adder 

 as she has of most of her other weak and perse- 

 cuted children. At this early season the adder's only 

 protection is his alertness and shy habit. 



In summer the case is different, when in place of 

 the young fresh grass and the pale neutral ground- 

 tints that make him so conspicuous, there is a rough 

 surface and a rich and various colouring; and though 

 not invisible he is not easily distinguishable. On hot 

 days he does not lie exposed to the sun, but prefers 



G 



