276 Wild Life in a Southern County 



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swim across the lake, in that place about 300 yards wide. 

 In the distance all that is visible is a small black spot 

 moving steadily over the water. This is the snake's head, 

 which he holds above the surface, and which vibrates a 

 little from side to side with the exertions of the muscular 

 body. As he comes nearer a slight swell undulates on 

 each side, marking his progress. Snakes never seem to 

 venture so far from shore except when it is perfectly calm. 

 The movement of the body is exactly the same as on land 

 — the snake glides over the surface, the bends of its body 

 seeming to act like a screw. They go at a good pace, and 

 with the greatest apparent ease. In walking beside the 

 meadow brooks, not everywhere, but in localities where 

 these reptiles are common, every now and then you may 

 see a snake strike off from the shore and swim across, 

 twining in and out the stems of the green flags till he 

 reaches the aquatic grass on the mud and disappears 

 among it. 



One warm summer's day I sat down on the sward 

 under an oak, and leaned my gun against it, intending to 

 watch the movements of a pair of woodpeckers who had 

 young close by. But the drowsy warmth induced slumber, 

 and on waking — probably after the lapse of some time — I 

 found a snake coiled on the grass under one of my legs. I 

 kept perfectly still, being curious to see what the snake 

 would do. He watched me with his keen eyes as closelv as 

 I watched him. So long as there was absolute stillness 

 he remained ; the moment I moved, out shot his forked 

 black tongue, and away he went into the ditch as rapidly 

 as possible. 



Some country people say they can ascertain if a hedge 

 is frequented by snakes, by a peculiar smell : it is certain 

 that if one is killed, especially if worried by a dog, there 



