96 CAT-BIRD. 



I am led to these observations by a note which I received this 

 morning from my worthy friend Mr. Bartram . " Yesterday/' says 

 this gentleman, " I observed a conflict, or contest, between a Cat- 

 " bird and a snake. It took place in a gravel walk, in the garden, 

 " near a dry wall of stone. I was within a few yards of the combat- 

 " ants. The bird pounced or darted upon the snake, snapping his 

 " bill ; the snake would then draw himself quickly into a coil, ready 

 " for a blow ; but the bird would cautiously circumvent him at a 

 " little distance, now and then running up to and snapping at him; 

 " but keeping at a sufficient distance to avoid a blow. After some 

 " minutes it became a running fight, the snake retreating; and at 

 " last took shelter in the wall. The Cat-bird had young ones in 

 " the bushes near the field of battle. 



" This may shew the possibility of poisonous snakes biting 

 " birds, the operation of the poison causing them to become as it 

 " were fascinated.'' 



