ee, screaming with open throat. Neither of them noticed
us, as we were partially concealed where we sat.

"On reaching the foot of a tall magnolia, the rattlesnake--after going
once round the tree, and apparently smelling the bark--slowly and
carefully wound itself into a spiral coil, close in to the trunk. Its
body now presented the appearance of a speckled and glittering cable, as
they are usually coiled on the deck of a ship. The tail with its horny
appendage protruded beneath, and the flat head peeped over above,
resting upon the uppermost ring of the body. The nictitating membrane
was drawn over its eyes. It appeared to sleep. This I thought strange,
as I had heard that the fascinating power of these creatures lay in the
eyes. It soon became evident, how ever, that the bird was not its
object; for the latter, on seeing that the snake lay still, ceased its
chattering and flew off into the woods.

"Believing that the interest of the scene was now over, I was about
raising my rifle to take aim at the snake, when a motion on its part
convinced me that it was not asleep, but watching. Watching for what?
A squirrel, perhaps, for this is the creature's favourite prey. I
looked up into the tree. It had all the appearance of being what is
termed a `squirrel-tree'--that is, a tree in which squirrels have their
nest. Ha! just as I expected--there was a hole in the trunk, high up;
and around its orifice the bark was slightly discoloured, evidently by
the paws of the squirrels passing in and out. Moreover, on looking to
the ground again, I perceived that a little beaten path, like a
rat-track, led off through the grass. A ridge-like protuberance that
projected from the foot of the tree--marking the direction of one of its
great roots--ran right into this path; and, from the discoloration of
the bark above it, it was evident that the squirrels usually climbed up
or descended along this ridge. The rattlesnake was coiled beside it--so
close that no animal could pass in that way without coming within his
reach! I felt certain, then, that he was waiting for the descent of the
squirrel; and desirous to see what should happen, I muttered some words
of caution to my companions, who remained silent as before.

"We sat watching the hole, in expectation to see the squirrel come
forth. At length, a little rat-shaped head peeped cautiously out; but
in this position the animal remained, and did not seem inclined to trust
it