or si:npENTs. 
255 
BLACK SNAKE. 
This Snake is very common. Its colour 
is perfectly black. It is usually five or six 
feel long, is harmless and destitute of venom. 
It feeds on birds, which, as well as the 
rattle snake, it is said to charm so completely 
that they tremble and flutter, and at length 
fall into its mouth. 
