as hidden by the grass; but the form of
the head and the peculiar chevron-like markings of the body, convinced
me it was the `Banded Rattle-snake.' It was slowly gliding out into
some open ground, with the intention of crossing to a thicket upon the
other side. I had disturbed it from the log, where it had no doubt been
sunning itself; and it was now making away from me.

"My first thought was to follow the hideous reptile, and kill it; but
reflecting that if I did so I should expose myself to the view of the
turkeys, I concluded to remain where I was, and let it escape.

"I watched it slowly drawing itself along--for this species makes but
slow progress--until it was near the middle of the glade, when I again
turned my attention to the birds that had now advanced almost within
range of my gun.

"I was just getting ready to fire, when a strange noise, like the grunt
of a small pig, sounded in my ears from the glade, and again caused me
to look in that direction. As I did so, my eyes fell upon a curious
little animal just emerging from the bushes. Its long, sharp snout--its
pig-like form--the absence of a tail--the high rump, and whitish band
along the shoulders, were all marks of description which I remembered.
The animal could be no other than a peccary.

"As I gazed upon it with curious eyes, another emerged from the bushes,
and then another, and another, until a good-sized drove of them were in
sight.

"The rattle-snake, on seeing the first one, had laid his head flat upon
the ground; and evidently terrified, was endeavouring to conceal himself
in the grass. But it was a smooth piece of turf, and he did not
succeed. The peccary had already espied him; and upon the instant his
hinder parts were raised to their full height, his mane became rigid,
and the hair over his whole body stood erect, radiating on all sides
outwards. The appearance of the creature was changed in an instant, and
I could perceive that the air was becoming impregnated with a
disagreeable odour, which the incensed animal emitted from its dorsal
gland. Without stopping longer than a moment, he rushed forward, until
he stood within three feet of the body of the snake.

"The latter, seeing he could no longer conceal himself, threw himself
into a coil, and stood upon his defence. His eyes glared with a fiery
lustre: the skir-r-r of his rattles could be heard almost incessantly;
while with his upraised head he struck repeatedly in the dire