56 BRITISH SERPENTS. 
summer of 1868 the snakes were to be seen literally in 
scores, and vreat numbers were killed. Since then, 
however, their numbers have gradually decreased, and 
most of the wild moor having disappeared before the 
advance of civilisation, they are not now met with 
in places where they formerly abounded. The 
favourite haunt of coronella is a dry sandy hillside, 
overgrown with short heath, and gorse, and coarse 
grass, and sloping down to a marshy valley, where 
water is at all times obtainable. There, on some bare 
patch of sand, the snake lies, loosely coiled, and basks 
in the sun, and there it can, when thirsty, get water 
without any great expenditure of energy. During the 
heat of the day it frequently comes down to some 
pool in the marsh to drink. Among the undergrowth 
it can also at any time find its prey, the common 
lizard, which abounds in such localities. Its mode of 
obtaining its food is one of the most interesting 
characteristics of coronella. As soon as it sees ils 
victim within easy reach, it slowly approaches, keep- 
ing its body concealed, but shghtly raising its head 
above the heather and coarse grass. When it gets 
within striking distance, after remaining motionless 
for a few seconds it darts suddenly, and with the 
quickness of thought, at the throat of the hapless 
lizard. If its aim is suecessful the snake instantly 
grasps with its tail a stem of heather or tuft of erass, 
and proceeds at once to the enjoyment of its meal. 
Its first step is to gradually shift its hold from the 
