WOOD NOTES AND NEST HUNTING. I07 



looking through the interstices of leaves and sprays 

 from the other side, to observe the devoted actions 

 of the pair, I discover another oologist, but with 

 more hostile intentions than the writer. A small 

 striped coachwhip snake has laid the several por- 

 tions of its lithe body conveniently along the twigs 

 and there remains as motionless as any part of the 

 bush. After watching it for a time, I make vari- 

 ous noises to ascertain to what extent it can be 

 affected by sound, and seeing that it does not stir 

 from its resting place, I slightly shake the bush, 

 when it lowers its head, darts out its forked tongue, 

 but seems unwilling to move. Nature has given 

 to its skin the general hue of the bark, and prob- 

 ably it instinctively remains in this position, rely- 

 ing more for protection on the harmony of color 

 and being at rest than upon escape by any other 

 means. Just as I am about to take more vigorous 

 measures for its removal, the bush is struck by a 

 sudden breeze, which appears like a palpable inter- 

 vention, while the serpent takes advantage of it, 

 and glides through the tangled mass out of reach. 

 The cat-birds hereabouts are as abundant as 

 robins in the meadows. An hour's search would, 

 no doubt, bring to light half a dozen nests. That 

 cat-like mew is a curious note for a bird to sound ; 



