OUR HOME BIRDS. 
151 
above their domicil of the head and neck of this 
arch-enemy. It is enough to petrify the blood in 
their veins/ 
“ This particular snake, not appearing to find what 
he was looking for in the nest, came gliding down the 
bush or vine to a lower limb, evidently bent on cap- 
turing one of the parent-birds. These poor creatures 
kept up the most heart-rending cries, sometimes 
fluttering furiously about their pursuer, and even 
laying hold of his tail with their beaks and claws. 
At this attack the snake would double upon himself 
and follow his own body back ; which unexpected 
movement seemed almost to paralyze the birds with 
terror, and put them within his grasp. But before 
his horrible jaws could close fairly upon a victim 
the bird would tear itself away, and, almost exhausted, 
just manage to get on a higher branch. The snake's 
imaginary powers of fascination were well tested in 
this instance ; but the parent-birds did not seem to 
be in any degree fascinated ; both contrived to escape 
him, without showing the least disposition to fall into 
his mouth. 
“ Finally, the person who witnessed this scene con- 
cluded to put an end to it by killing the snake; 
which was soon accomplished by aiming a large 
stone at his head. The cat-birds presently descended 
to their ruined home, and, perching on the edge of 
