Page:Monthly scrap book, for June.pdf/5

Rh been felled, and, upon the branch of a neighbouring tree, the bird had alighted. I was about to fire, when, in a moment, it uttered a shrill piercing note, its little wings fluttered and beat against its sides, and it gave every evident signs of fear and alarm. I could not pull the trigger, and, indeed, the chance of securing it without firing, appeared to me important, as its beautiful and varied plumage would thus be uninjured. It was now only about six feet from the ground, and I immediately crept behind it, as it hopped from spray to spray, on its downward course, and I was about to put forth my hand to catch it, when the glare of two dark-red eyes from amidst the brushwood attracted my attention, and I perceived an enormous rattlesnake gazing on the poor victim, now at the distance from it of only a few feet.

At first I had believed the folds of the reptile to be the branches of a tree, but I was soon undeceived, for as the poor fluttering bird approached, he began to rattle violently, whilst a strange unearthly sound proceeded from his throat. As far as I could judge, he was at least eight feet long, the colour of his head a dark brown, the body yellowish brown, transversely marked with broad black stripes, but his eyes were absolutely fiendish; and under their fascinating influence, I stood for some moments immoveable; although the animal was too intent on his prey, to observe me. The poor bird, at this moment fell from the branch exhausted and trembling, and the serpent was raised up to dart at it, when taking a cool and deliberate aim, I fired.