. Animal Life and the World of Nature; A magazine of Natural History. . DEADLY ENEMIES—BEOWN SNAKE AND HLUE-TON'GUED LIZAKD. THREE COMMON REPTILES OF THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH. By Cyril Grant Lane. Illustrated with Photographs hy the Author. WHAT more certain to overwhelm the stout heart of the most experienced bush- man with sudden fear, and fill his mind with a knowledge of imminent danger, than the sudden hearing of that gentle, dreaded voice—the warning hiss of an angry snake ! Little wonder that the city-dweller, with but vague conceptions of " bush-life," so frequently refuses to ven
. Animal Life and the World of Nature; A magazine of Natural History. . DEADLY ENEMIES—BEOWN SNAKE AND HLUE-TON'GUED LIZAKD. THREE COMMON REPTILES OF THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH. By Cyril Grant Lane. Illustrated with Photographs hy the Author. WHAT more certain to overwhelm the stout heart of the most experienced bush- man with sudden fear, and fill his mind with a knowledge of imminent danger, than the sudden hearing of that gentle, dreaded voice—the warning hiss of an angry snake ! Little wonder that the city-dweller, with but vague conceptions of " bush-life," so frequently refuses to venture " up-country," even though the rapidly-increasing facilities for travelling are so obvious a consideration, for, in the mysterious regions of "up-country" and "back-blocks," have not treacherous reptiles of dread repute to be contended with daily at every turn and bend in the track, and is not one obliged, from well-justified motives of self-preservation, to hunt in the bed, on the bed, under the bed, and thoroughly investigate every nook and cranny which might perchance conceal the lithe body of some poison-fanged visitor'? Something of this is indeed beyond refute, but—and there is much in that little word—like numerous imminent dangers, this also is constantly and absurdly exaggerated. Danger undoubtedly there is, and fully the fact is realised by one who has spent long years in snake-infested localities ! Notwithstanding, if propensities of a designedly vicious nature are characteristics of Victorian snakes, they seem only recognisable when the reptiles are labouring under real or fancied provocation. Then, I admit, no more deadly or determined enemy can be encountered in the wilds of the bush! In certain localities, where water is abundant, Brown, Black, and Tiger-Snakes may be found in great numbers, occupying such cover as hollow logs, decaying stumps and disused burrows. Their food consists chiefly of frogs, mice, lizards, and
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublisherlondo, bookyear1902
