38 
CREATURES OF MYSTERY 
near so long as the spider showed any sign whatever of life. 
He made another quick thrust at the spider as before, with 
the result that the spider was powerless to replace his legs— 
he had completely succumbed to the wasp’s magic. Other than 
this one insignificant act the wasp did not touch the spider, yet 
he lay helpless before him. As an added precaution the wasp 
did not lay hold upon his prey from the front, but performed 
a half circle—taking him in his arms from the rear, he flew 
away. 
As a hunter, the rattler always brings home the bacon. 
Whether he hypnotizes his prey, trails it down, or merely lies 
in wait for it until something chances to come near—well, we 
shall leave this to the keeping of Uncle Dave and the scientists. 
There is no question whatever but that the rattler knows the 
weakness of every single animal and bird to be found in the 
forest. He has the “low-down” on the blue-jay, that old dis¬ 
turber of the peace and tranquillity of the woodlands. When 
he desires to promote excitement among the birds, he knows 
full well, when his appetite demands bird for lunch, that he 
can always rely upon the co-operation of the old blue-jay. So 
when he observes one nearby he starts his chattering, squawk¬ 
ing, and crying as hereinbefore described, possibly accom¬ 
panied by a violent whir-r-r-r of his rattles, and the work is 
done. The jay sets up such a cry that birds far and near, of 
whatever kind, are possessed of a feeling that birds by the 
score are being murdered where the blue-jay has set off the 
alarm. They must therefore go and see. With the aid of his 
rattles and the power of his eyes he experiences no difficulty 
overpowering them one at a time, or so long as he has a 
desire for food. All observers agree that there is always one 
bird appearing more under his power than the others. This 
one draws nearer and ever nearer until he finally seems to 
freeze up within easy grasp of the serpent which takes him in 
at leisure, then centers his glare upon another. 
Insofar as the author of this little volume is concerned, he 
cannot escape the conclusion that the cause of general science 
would be best served if those chiefly responsible for its ad¬ 
vancement would accord a more respectful hearing to the con- 
