Page:St. Nicholas, vol. 40.1 (1912-1913).djvu/421

1913.]

Hornets are fond of building their nests in the peaks of houses. There is one in the peak of my office, so, as soon as I received your letter, I went out and took a photograph of it. The nests of hornets are built of the weather-beaten fibers from old fences, boards, or other wood.

Rattlesnakes are at no time blind or unable to see well enough to strike with accuracy. The only time when a snake’s vision is affected, occurs shortly prior to the shedding of the skin, at which time the eyes are covered with a thin, bluish covering. Even in this condition the snake sees fairly well, although its vision is not so clear as at other times. Snakes usually shed in the early spring, early in July, then late in August.—.