182 
BIEDS IN A VILLAGE. 
thing to eat ; but I watch the thrushes principally, 
for these are more at home on the moist earth than 
the others, and have keener senses, and seek for 
nobler game. I see one suddenly thrust his beak 
into the turf and draw from it a huge earthworm, 
a wriggling serpent, so long that although he holds 
his head high, a third of the pink cylindrical body 
still rests on the sod. What will he do with it ? 
We know how wandering Waterton treated the 
boa which he courageously grasped by the tail as it 
retreated into the bushes. Naturally, it turned on 
him, and, lifting high its head, came swiftly to- 
wards his face with wide-open jaws ; and at this 
supreme moment, without releasing his hold on its 
tail, with his free hand he snatched off his large 
felt hat and thrust it down the monster's throat, 
and so saved himself 
Just as I am intently watching to see how my 
hatless little W^aterton will deal with his serpent, 
a startling bark, followed by a canine shriek, then 
a yell, resound through the silent garden ; and over 
the lawn rush those three demoniacal fox-terriers. 
Snap, Puzzy, and Babs, all determined to catch 
something. Away fly the birds, and though now 
high overhead, the baffled brutes continue wildly 
careering about the grounds, vexing the air with 
their frantic barkings. No more birds to-day ! 
But now the peace-breakers have discovered me. 
