RESCUED--CONCLUSION.
"Scatter, and hide!"
It was Elmer who shouted this order. He had not heard any sound as of a
bullet passing, and did not know but that the shot had been fired simply
for the purpose of a warning.
Still, there was no need of their taking chances. And as he gave the
command, Elmer was one of the first to seek the shelter of a near-by
rock.
Immediately the valiant scouts scurried around, each eagerly desirous of
finding some sort of snug retreat.
No further shots came, much to the satisfaction of the boys, and inside
of half a minute not a figure was to be seen upon the little plateau.
It chanced that Red had selected the same rock as Elmer picked out,
behind which to crouch.
And of course Red could not long remain silent, since his overcharged
feelings just had to find a vent.
"Whew, this is what I call warm!" he said, puffing.
"Do you mean the weather, or the fact that we have been under fire?"
asked Elmer, who was looking out from his end of the rock, and trying to
size the situation up.
"Oh, well, I guess both of 'em would pass muster, all right," Red went
on. "You don't think any fellow got hurt, do you, Elmer?"
"Not any. Fact is," continued the scout master, "I've a pretty good
hunch the shot was not fired at us, but into the air, warning us to keep
off or we might get hurt."
"The ginnies fired it, of course, Elmer?"
"I'm sure of that."
"And we've cornered the bunch at last, hey? You did the trick, Elmer.
Trust you for following even half a trail blindfolded. But say, do you
know where they're holding the fort?"
"I've got something of an idea," replied Elmer. "If you look up the face
of the cliff, Red, you'll notice a bunch of green stuff growing. I think
there must be a shelf of rock there, and perhaps a cave back of it."
"But what makes you think that, Elmer?"
"Because I saw the powder smoke puff out from those little bushes when
the report sounded," replied Elmer.
"But my stars! that's all of fifty feet up. How d'ye suppose those
dagoes could get up there?" continued the one who sought information.
"Oh, that would just as likely as not turn out to be easy enough, once
you got started. Perhaps there's some sort of path leading up the face
of the cliff, and which we just can't see from here."
"What're we going to do, Elmer?"
"Nothing--just now, anyway."
"Just sit on our haunches, and wait for our birds to drop into our
hands, eh?" pursued Red.
"Oh, perhaps we may have to fight for it in the end, but I'm hoping for
an easier wind up to the affair," Elmer continued, musingly.
"You think the old woman may help out?"
"I know she will, if George can only succeed in convincing her that
we're friends, not enemies."
"Then we're waiting till they arrive?" asked Red.
"I'm going to give the signal for retiring as soon as the boys get their
breath back," remarked the scout master.
"Well, they might be in better places, because the sun feels scorching
to me right now," grumbled Red.
"Then pick out your new roost, and be ready to migrate as soon as you
hear the whistle. Pass the word along, too, Red."
Presently it was understood that when the scout master gave the signal
every fellow was expected to crawl or dart away, seeking through one way
or another to get out of the fire zone.
"I hope George has succeeded in explaining everything to the woman by
now," remarked Red.
"I'm sure he has, and that the whole of them are even now on the way
here to wind up this business," Elmer declared most confidently.
When ten minutes had gone by, and he felt sure that all of the scouts
knew what they were expected to do, Elmer took out his whistle.
Then the shrill notes sounded, cutting the air as though charged with
irresistible force.
Immediately everybody got busy. Khaki-clad figures could be seen darting
this way and that, but none of them made any attempt to advance. This
sort of move might be expected to anger the Italians, without doing any
good, and the scouts had been warned against it.
There came no second discharge of firearms, and from this fact it seemed
evident that the unseen enemy understood that there was nothing hostile
connected with this action on the part of the scouts.
Again did Red and Elmer find themselves good neighbors as they arrived
at a pile of rocks, behind which they sought shelter.
"All safe?" asked the former.
"Yes, as far as I know," came the answer. "Landy fell all over himself,
and started to roll downhill, but one of the other fellows pulled him
up. He was limping to beat the band, but I hope it's nothing serious."
"No danger," chuckled Red. "Landy is too well padded to suffer much from
a fall. Now do we just wait here till the others fetch the lady?"
"That's a part of the contract," said Elmer; "so just make yourself as
comfy as you can."
"And watch the big rock there, eh, Elmer?"
"Oh, if you want. We would feel pretty cheap if they took a sly sneak,
and left us in the lurch."
Elmer settled down as though he thought there was no use borrowing
trouble. And seeing their leader take things in such a matter-of-fact
way the balance of the scouts followed suit.
Confidence thus begets confidence in others; and this in itself was one
of Elmer's reasons for acting as he did.
The minutes passed.
Several times did impatient Red get up on his knees to take a look down
the hill.
"Shucks! but they're a long time coming," he mumbled. "Perhaps, after
all, the old woman was too sharp for the bunch--perhaps she's tucked 'em
away in the cabin--turning the tables on our four chums--perhaps,
now----"
Right there Red stopped in his predictions of evil.
"There they come," said Elmer, quietly.
One hasty look satisfied Red that his comrade spoke only the truth.
Moving figures caught his eye just a little way down the slope.
These presently developed into four boys, three of whom were clad in
khaki. The other, who was, of course, George, the interpreter, kept
close at the side of the Italian woman.
Now and then she seemed to address some remark to George, which he
doubtless answered to the best of his ability. When his vocabulary
proved unequal to the task he would finish with a series of gestures
and shrugs as he had seen chattering Italians do.
And presently they reached the spot where the balance of the scouts held
forth.
The woman surveyed them as she came up, but Elmer noticed that she did
not seem afraid now.
"I guess you've done the business, George," he remarked to the new
recruit.
"Well," replied the other, with a broad grin, "that's what I think
myself, Elmer."
"She understands now who we are, and that we haven't any intention of
doing her men any harm--you explained all that?"
"Sure. And you can see now that instead of looking scared, she's ready
to grin if you give her any encouragement," replied George.
"And she knows that we want her to go out with us and have a talk with
her old man, telling him what a fool he's been making of himself. She
understands all that, does she?"
"Like a book, and is ready to do the trick. We'll have our Nat back in
short order, now," George continued, looking proud and happy because he
had been able to prove of such valuable assistance to his fellow scouts,
even before he got his uniform.
"All right, then. The sooner we start the ball rolling the better. Come
along, George."
Presently the two of them were escorting the Italian woman toward the
foot of the cliff.
When two thirds of the way there an angry, excitable voice stopped
them. On looking up they could see several heads topping the sparse
vegetation that undoubtedly grew along a ledge.
"Now, tell her to talk, George!" said Elmer.
There was hardly any need, for the woman had broken loose on her own
account. And such chattering as followed--Lil Artha afterward declared
it reminded him of a monkey cage when one of the inmates had taken more
than his share of the dinner provided.
But the woman did most of the talking. She also scolded, stamped her
foot, and even shook her fist up at those above.
Evidently her arguments must have had a convincing ring about them, for
suddenly she turned to George and smiled amiably as she said something,
and made a suggestive movement of both shoulders.
"It's all right, Elmer," declared George.
"Are they going to do what we want?" asked the scout master, greatly
pleased.
"Sure. And I reckon there he comes now. One of the men seems to be
helping Nat down the path that runs along the face of the rock. Bully!
We win out!"
A loud cheer from the scouts told how they were enjoying the situation.
Nat Scott waved his hand to them in greeting, for, having lost his hat
at the shack, he was bareheaded.
The Italian was still a little suspicious, for he would come only two
thirds of the way down. But Nat easily made the balance, and was soon
shaking hands with everyone of his mates, just as though he had been
separated from them for a week.
Leaving the woman to rejoin her people the scouts made their way down
the side of the mountain until they reached the mill pond.
Nat's story was brief, and just about what Elmer had guessed. In
prowling around he had unexpectedly come upon the three men.
They had seized upon him and threatened him with their knives if he so
much as gave a yell. He had been kept for a short time in the shack.
Then Landy's prowling around seemed to fill the Italians with a new
alarm, and the three men, together with the woman, had hastily fled.
On the way up the mountain the woman had discovered the loss of
something, and gone back.
Then the men forced him to hurry along, and finally landed him on that
secret ledge where he believed there was some sort of cave.
That was all Nat knew, and the whole thing smacked strongly of mystery
until he heard what Elmer's theory was.
"Anyhow," Nat said, with considerable satisfaction in his voice and
manner, "they didn't scare me one little bit. And besides, Elmer, in
lots of places I went and made plain marks that I just knew you could
read any old time."
"That stamps you a true-blue scout, Nat," declared Elmer, "and I think
the troop has reason to be proud of you."
"Three cheers for Comrade Nat Scott," suggested impulsive Red; and they
were given with such a vim that many of the big bullfrogs along the
farther bank jumped into the mill pond in great alarm.
As their main object had been carried out while on the way to the
haunted mill, and there was no further reason for lingering after they
had eaten the "snack" carried along for this purpose, the Hickory Ridge
troop of scouts took up the homeward march.
After talking it all over among themselves it was decided that their
duty compelled them to give the game and fish warden a hint as to what
was probably going on up at Munsey's mill.
He went there with a deputy two days later, but the Italians had taken
warning and fled. However, the warden found and destroyed several nets
with which the fish poachers had been illegally gathering the finny
prizes in the long-deserted pond.
There was one disappointed scout in the troop however, and this was
Chatz Maxfield.
He always would feel as though he had missed the opportunity of his life
in spending some time at a haunted mill which was supposed to support a
good lively ghost, and never once chancing to come upon the hobgoblin.
However, Chatz would continue to live in hope.
At any rate, everyone was positive that he had learned a host of
valuable things calculated to make him take higher rank as a woodsman,
and a true scout. And no doubt in the annals of the Hickory Ridge Boy
Scouts that little hike to Munsey's mill would always be read and
re-read with the keenest interest, and take rank with the greatest of
their achievements.
THE END.
ADDENDA
BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE
BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE TO BE FOUND IN THE
HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUT SERIES.
Wild Animals of the United States }
Tracking } in Number I.
THE CAMPFIRES OF THE WOLF PATROL.
Trees and Wild Flowers of the United States in Number II.
WOODCRAFT, OR HOW A PATROL LEADER MADE GOOD.
Reptiles of the United States in Number III.
PATHFINDER, OR THE MISSING TENDERFOOT.
Fishes of the United States in Number IV.
FAST NINE, OR A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD.
Insects of the United States in Number V.
GREAT HIKE, OR THE PRIDE OF THE KHAKI TROOP.
Birds of the United States in Number VI.
ENDURANCE TEST, OR HOW CLEAR GRIT WON THE DAY.
THE REPTILES OF THE UNITED STATES.
The reptiles are a class of vertebrate animals. By vertebrate animals is
meant those having a backbone. Reptiles are cold-blooded animals having
scaly skins, and breathing by lungs and not by gills as do the fish.
Strange as it may seem they are related to the birds. In prehistoric
times they were of enormous size and many of them were capable of
flying. Fossil forms of reptiles are very numerous and scientists have
given these fossil forms such sonorous names as Dinosaurs, Ichthyosaurs,
Plesiosaurs and Pterosaurs. These names are made up of Greek words
meaning terrible lizards, fish lizards, near lizards and winged lizards.
The class of reptiles is made up of five orders:
Sphenodons;
Lacertilia;
Ophidia;
Chelonia;
Crocodilia.
Of the Sphenodons, there is but one living representative. Its home is
in New Zealand. Zoologists tell us that this reptile is more closely
related to its fossil cousins than any other now in existence. Since we
are considering only those reptiles which an American boy may find
living in their natural haunts in his home land, discussion of the
Sphenodon is out of place in this article. We recommend, however, that
you read up about this curious creature that links the gigantic
prehistoric lizards with the little creatures of to-day's world.
[Illustration: PTEROSAURS.]
THE LIZARDS
THE LACERTILIA OR LIZARDS.
[Illustration: LIZARDS.
1. ZEBRA-TAILED LIZARD.
2. PACIFIC SWIFT.
3. COLLARED LIZARD.
4. WHITE-BELLIED SWIFT.
5. COMMON SWIFT OR FENCE LIZARD.]
Lizards differ from snakes in that the right and left halves of the
lower jaw are joined together by bone instead of elastic ligament and in
that they have legs and eyelids. They are found in the warmer climates.
Most of them live on insects, but some types as, for instance, the
Iguanas, live entirely on vegetable matter, while others prey on birds,
mice, frogs, etc.
THE GECKOS.
The Geckos form a large sub-order of lizards. Their chief characteristic
is their adhesive toes, which enable them to cling to and run on
smoothest surfaces even when upside down. They do not like the hot
sunlight and largely feed at twilight and at night. The Reef Gecko is
found in Florida; the Warty Gecko, so called on account of the rows of
large wart-like scales on its back and sides, inhabits Lower California;
the Cape Gecko, Lower California; the Banded Gecko, Texas, New Mexico,
Arizona and California. The latter is the most gaudily marked of the
Geckos found in the United States and is likewise the most abundant. It
may be seen at dusk coming out of rock crevices to feed on small
insects. Many consider this lizard poisonous and its saliva is supposed
to produce painful skin eruptions. Authorities, however, tell us that
this is not so. The first three Geckos mentioned live largely in trees,
but the Banded Gecko lives on or near the ground.
THE CHAMELEONS.
The American Chameleons are not true chameleons, but belong to the same
family as the Iguana. They have come to be known as Chameleons because,
like the rightful owners of that name, they change the color of their
bodies. This change is occasioned by the differences of temperature and
light. One species is found in the United States and is known under
various names, such as the green lizard, the fence lizard and the
alligator lizard. It is called alligator lizard from its resemblance to
a young alligator. This lizard is found in the southeastern United
States from North Carolina to Florida. The common colors of the American
Chameleon or the Anolis, which is its scientific name, are brown and
green. These colors vary with conditions. When asleep, for instance,
this little reptile is green above and white below, and when fighting or
frightened it becomes green; at other times it is brown. Raymond L.
Ditmars, Curator of Reptiles in the New York Zoological Park, says that
in collecting these lizards and placing them in wire-covered boxes, he
has "always noted their change from various hues, prior to capture, to a
scrambling collection of several dozen emerald-green lizards. If the
gauze cage be laid down for half an hour or so while the collector
rests, the lizards soon take on a brownish tinge, but as soon as the box
is again carried about and the occupants are shaken up and frightened,
the brilliant color appears among them all." He further says that "there
is no relation or influence between the lizard's colors and its
surroundings. The change of color is brought about principally through
temperature and light and their influences on the creature's activity;
also by anger, fear and sleep."
The Anolis stalks its prey like a cat does a mouse. It crouches and
creeps forward for the final spring with motions that are exactly
similar. It lives in trees and feeds upon insects. These little
creatures make interesting pets and will soon learn to take their food
from your hand. The proper quarters for it is a wire-covered fernery
which should be placed in a warm but moist situation and the foliage
daily sprinkled with water. The Anolis is a great water drinker and will
find the drops adhering to the leaves of the plants.
THE IGUANAS.
There are but few species of Iguanas found in the United States and
these only in the southwestern part. They are large in size and have a
crest of spiny scales running along the neck and back. They use their
tails as weapons of offense and defense. The Cape Iguana is a species
found only in Lower California. The tail is ringed with large spines.
The Black Iguana is found in southern Arizona. It is a great fighter
when at bay and is then no mean antagonist. It does not invite a fight,
however, but will run if there is any chance of escape. Both of these
Iguanas reach about four feet in length. They have large appetites and
eat both animal and vegetable matter--birds, small animals and tender
vegetation. In central and southern America their flesh is prized as a
food and it is said to have the flavor of chicken. They live part of the
time in trees and part of the time on the ground. The Desert Iguana,
however, is terrestrial. It is found in the desert parts of the
southwestern United States--in Colorado, California, Arizona and Nevada.
It is largely vegetarian. The tail is brittle, and to free itself when
held by it, this creature will easily and readily snap it off.
[Illustration: IGUANA.]
THE CHUCKAWALLA.
There is only one of these that is fairly common in the United States
and that is found in the deserts of the southwest. It is the largest
lizard found there except the Gila Monster which will be described
later. The body of the Chuckawalla is broad and the legs short. Its
length averages about a foot. It lives mostly among the rocks of the
deserts.
THE COLLARED LIZARD.
This lizard is so called on account of the markings of the neck, which
have the appearance of a double black collar. The throat is an orange
color. It is one of the most gayly colored of the small lizards. It is
quite common in the dry and stony parts of the western states and in
western Texas is very abundant. It is a great eater and is not afraid to
fight for its dinner. One peculiarity of this lizard is its ability to
run on its hind legs. It will gulp and bolt food as large as itself.
THE LEOPARD LIZARD.
In color it is yellow, spotted with dark spots and lined across the back
with dull red lines. Its habitat includes Oregon, California, Nevada,
Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
THE ZEBRA-TAILED LIZARDS.
These are small ground lizards found from Texas to California,
especially in the dry sections. They run with great rapidity with the
tail curved upward, which exposes the markings of the lower surface.
Frequently they run like the Collared Lizard, on the hind feet. The
black-and-white tail markings account for their name.
THE SPOTTED LIZARDS.
These are small ground lizards found in many states from Kansas to
California and southward. They are very quick in their movements. Their
food consists of insects of the more sluggish type. They do not stalk
their prey like the chameleons.
THE SWIFTS.
There are a great many species of these small lizards in the United
States. They live on the ground among rocks in dry places and are called
swifts on account of the speed with which they are able to get over the
ground. Some of them are covered with spiny scales. Clark's Swift is
abundant in certain parts of the country. It is found in California,
Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah. It is fond of the strongest sunlight.
The Yellow Striped Swift is found from Texas to Nebraska on the north,
into Mexico on the south and California on the west.
The Common Swift is found abundantly both in the eastern and in the
western United States. They like dry, sandy places among fallen trees,
fences, old wood, etc. In color they are gray and are usually in harmony
with their surroundings.
The Collared Swift lives among rocks in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
It has a black collar with very sharp spiny scales.
THE HORNED LIZARD.
These lizards are commonly called Horned Toads, because of their
resemblance in the shape of their bodies to that of a toad and of their
spiny scales which have the appearance of small horns. Their habitat is
in the hottest and driest parts of the country. They are fond of the
hottest sunlight and bury themselves in sand at the approach of evening.
The Regal Horned Lizard is found in Arizona and Colorado.
The California Horned Lizard is found abundantly in sections of
California.
[Illustration: HORNED TOAD.]
THE SNAKE-LIKE LIZARDS.
These lizards have elongated bodies with either small limbs or no
external evidence of such. Some cannot be easily distinguished from
snakes. On close examination it will be seen that there is a ridge along
each side of the body.
The Keeled Lizard has a habit of keeping its tongue protruded and will
wipe its lips with it after feeding. Its tail is easily separated from
its body and when so separated, the broken off portion wriggles
violently. New tails grow on. It is found in California, Oregon,
Washington and eastward from California to Texas.
The "Glass-Snake" has no limbs and to the eye of anyone but a naturalist
would easily be mistaken for a snake. What distinguishes it from a snake
is the presence of eyelids and ear holes. It occurs in many localities.
It is common from the Carolinas to Florida and as far north as Illinois.
Like the Keeled Lizard it has the ability to shed a very lively,
wriggling tail. It feeds on worms and slugs that it finds by burrowing
and will occasionally break and eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds.
THE BEADED LIZARDS.
This is a family of large lizards whose bodies look as if covered with
beads. They are held to be poisonous by well-known authorities and are
the only poisonous lizards found in the states.
The Gila Monster (pronounced Hee-la) has a thick body with short limbs
and a short tail. In color it is pink and black. Its length is about a
foot and a half. It is found in New Mexico and Arizona and is named
after the river Gila, the valley of which it inhabits. The creature will
defend itself viciously and will hold on tenaciously with its strong
jaws. The eggs are buried in the sand.
XANTHUS LIZARDS.
Small lizards that are found where the tree yuccas grow.
THE RACE RUNNERS.
These are easily distinguished by the yellow stripes on their bodies.
They are to be found in the dry, sandy portions of the western states,
burrowing in the sand and when pursued taking refuge in these burrows.
THE WORM LIZARDS.
These are a low grade of lizards that live underground like worms. The
Worm Lizard, found in Florida, is scarcely any larger around than an
earthworm. It is able to move backward or forward in the earth, the end
of the tail being shaped similar to the head.
THE SKINKS.
This is a large family. They are burrowing lizards. The Red Headed
Lizard is widely distributed throughout the United States. It is very
timid and extremely difficult to capture. Its color changes with its
age. The Black Banded Skink is found in the central portions of the
United States. The Florida Skink in southern Florida. The Black Skink
from Pennsylvania southward to Texas.
Here we reach the end of the order of reptiles known as lizards; the
next order is that of the snakes.
THE SNAKES
THE OPHIDIA OR SNAKES.
Snakes are closely related to lizards. Some lizards, as you have already
seen, are very much like snakes in form. The main distinguishing
features of the snake are the elastic tissue which connects the two
halves of the lower jaw and the absence of eyelids. Snakes are
carnivorous and are capable of moving with great ease and swiftness
notwithstanding their lack of limbs. They cast their skins several times
a year. Many of the snakes are poisonous, and authorities tell us that
there is no external characteristic that indicates which are poisonous
and which are not.
THE BLIND SNAKES.
This is a low form of snake. They are worm-like and burrowing. The Texas
Blind Snake is found in Texas and New Mexico. The California Blind Snake
in California and Mexico.
THE BOAS.
The most common member of this family that comes within the range of
this article is a snake that is found in the Pacific states and eastward
as far as Nevada. It is over a foot in length and about half an inch in
diameter. Various names have been given to it; in certain sections it is
called the Rubber Boa, in others the Silver Snake, Two-headed Snake,
Worm Snake. The name Two-headed Snake is given it evidently on account
of the stubby appearance of the tail end.
THE RIBBON SNAKES.
These snakes have a yellow stripe along the back and the sides. They are
long, slim snakes; specimens have been seen that measured nearly three
feet long, although the average length is about two feet. It is found
east of the Mississippi, but is not common. It frequents the banks of
water to feed on young frogs and so forth. They swim well and are at
home in the water. In the Western Ribbon Snake the back stripe is darker
than those on the side, or in some instances a different color.
THE GARTER SNAKES.
These are found all over the United States and are perfectly harmless.
They are abundant. Burrowing in the ground in the late fall they remain
there all winter. Even the boy living in the large cities may, without
going out of the city limits, find these snakes. They are quite commonly
found in large public parks. They like frogs and toads and bolt their
food. There are many varieties of this snake. Both the Ribbon Snakes and
the Garter Snakes belong to the genus Eutaenia, which is the most
numerous of those of the United States. They are all striped snakes and
are very much like the water snakes in structure. There is no easily
distinguished characteristic that would enable a boy, at a glance, to
tell a Garter Snake. They vary widely in color and marking.
THE WATER SNAKES.
Here is another genus of snakes that is found commonly in many sections
of our country. They frequent the vicinity of water and swim with ease,
feeding on frogs, toads, fish. The Queen Snake is found generally east
of the Mississippi Valley. It is brown above and has yellow stripes on
the side. The Banded Water Snake is the water snake which is commonly
found in the southern part of the United States east of Texas. It
closely resembles the Moccasin, a poisonous snake, and is often mistaken
for it. It attains an average length of over a yard. When alarmed, like
all the water snakes, it takes to the water for refuge. This genus never
preys on birds or mice. It is one of the most common of the southern
snakes. The Red-bellied Water Snake is found in the east, but not north
of Virginia. The Common Water Snake is the northern representative of
this genus. These snakes are popularly known as "Moccasins." The Diamond
Back Water Snake is common along the lower Mississippi states. They
average four feet in length. May be seen on low branches overhanging
water. The Green Water Snake is similar in habit to the Diamond Back
and is found in the Gulf and the Mississippi Valley states. One
peculiarity of the water snakes is their love of their home. They pick
out a particular sunning place and will return to it regularly.
[Illustration: WATER SNAKE.]
THE GROUND SNAKE OR BROWN SNAKE.
This is a common snake, found all over the United States east of the
Rocky Mountains. It is small in size, about a foot long and slender, and
hides under stones, where it probably feeds on the worms and forms of
insect life that live in such places.
THE RACERS.
The serpents of this type are very active and nervous. The Gopher Snake,
or Indigo Snake, is one of the largest found in the United States. It
has been known to measure over eight feet in length. It is found from
Texas eastward in the Gulf states. Its scales have a polished appearance
and are blue black in color. It may be seen in sandy stretches. When
feeding it holds its prey down with part of its body. It is not
particular as to its diet and will eat birds with the same relish as
cold-blooded frogs and toads. In the Central and South American
countries this snake is highly valued as a "ratter" and frequents human
habitations without fear. The Black Snake is abundant in the United
States. It has a bad reputation. It is said to be a fearless fighter,
not afraid to attack man even, and to be able to "charm" its prey within
its reach. These attributes are popular beliefs without any basis of
fact. It is fond of small birds and field mice and is what may be called
a meadow snake. When frightened it speeds away at an incredible rate.
The Coachwhip Snake, found in the southeast, is even more agile than the
Black Snake, and like that serpent, will eat smaller snakes. It gets its
name from its slender structure and similarity of the appearance of its
scale distribution to a plaited whip. The Striped Racer of the
southwestern states is very long and slender.
THE RAT SNAKES OR COLUBERS.
These are large, strong snakes that squeeze and crush their prey by
coiling themselves around it. They are useful to the farmer, as they
inhabit grainfields and prey on the rats and mice. An easy way to tell
these snakes is by their flat belly. The Fox Snake is quite common in
the Central states. It averages about four feet long. It derives its
name from an odor which it is able to eject, which smells not unlike
that of the fox. Often it will kill and eat animals as large as rabbits.
It deposits its eggs in some natural hollow and leaves them there to
hatch. A snake that is abundant in the southeastern states is known by
the various names of Corn Snake, Red Chicken Snake, Mouse Snake, Scarlet
Racer and Red Coluber. It is red, black and white. It is not as much of
a climber as the Racers are, nor is it as agile; but it is braver and
will fight when cornered. It is frequently found in cornfields, hence
its name. The Pilot Black Snake or Mountain Black Snake is often taken
for the Common Black Snake. Its head is larger and it is spotted with
white. It is a snake frequently found in the same locations as the
rattlesnake and copperhead. The Chicken Snake is fond of eggs and young
chickens. Like the Fox Snake it will emit an unpleasant odor when
caught.
THE BULL SNAKES.
The Pine or Bull Snake is one of the largest snakes found in the east.
It is found in the sandy pine woods of the coast. When disturbed it is
vicious in appearance, hisses loudly and strikes vigorously. It feeds on
small animals and birds. It is also called the Gopher Snake. "The Yellow
Gopher" Snake is found in the middle and western states.
THE GREEN SNAKES.
The Green Whip Snake or Magnolia Snake is green above, yellow below. It
feeds on insects and is a good climber. In color it so perfectly
matches the leaves and grass that detection is difficult. The "Grass
Snake" is a common snake of the northeastern states.
THE RING-NECKED SNAKES.
The eastern Ring-necked Snake is found in the eastern portion of the
United States. It has a yellow ring about the neck. This snake is not
given to venturing abroad, but prefers to lie under stones and the loose
bark of trees.
THE KING SNAKES.
These snakes are remarkable for their colors. They are banded around
their bodies with rings of bright colors. They will eat rats and mice
and other snakes. The Milk Snake or "Checkered Adder" is popularly
supposed to be fond of milk. Scientists tell us that this is a fallacy.
It feeds on mice, rats, other snakes and lizards. The Red Milk Snake is
prettily colored--red and yellow--and is the type found in the south.
All the King Snakes have pronounced patterns. More than in any other
genus is the habit of feeding on its kind developed--attacking, and
usually successfully, snakes larger than themselves. It is from this
characteristic that they derive their name. It is bitten by the
poisonous snakes which it attacks but without effect; the King Snake
tightens its grip until its adversary is lifeless.
THE RAINBOW SNAKES.
These are sometimes called the mud snakes, from the fact that they are
abundant in swamps. They burrow in the mud. The Red-bellied Snake is
also called the Rainbow Snake, Mud Snake, Horn Snake and Hoop Snake.
THE HOG-NOSED SNAKES.
These snakes are fighters. The peculiar formation of the mouth makes
them easily distinguishable. They hiss when disturbed and flatten their
heads and necks. They are popularly known as "adders" and "vipers." They
are found in dry and sandy situations.
The common Hog-nosed Snake is found in dry, sandy locations practically
all through the United States except on the Pacific slope. It has the
peculiar habit of feigning death when cornered. Before it tries these
tactics it will make a terrific show of ferocity. It is capable of
flattening its head and neck in a formidable manner and while assuming
this attitude it hisses sharply. If this show does not scare away its
enemy it will suddenly be seized with a spasm, ending by turning on its
back, limp and apparently lifeless. When it thinks danger is past it
recovers its normal position and quickly gets away. This snake is known
popularly as the "Flat-headed Adder," the "Puff Adder," "Viper" and
"Blow Snake."
THE HARLEQUIN OR CORAL SNAKE.
Is a strikingly marked serpent. Its colors are scarlet, black and
yellow. This snake is found in the southeastern and central United
States. It is a near relative to the deadly Cobra-de-Capello and is
itself poisonous. A burrowing reptile.
THE MOCCASINS.
These snakes are highly poisonous. The Water Moccasin is one of the
largest venomous snakes found in the United States. Some have been
caught that measured four feet in length and almost two and a half
inches around. Certain kinds of harmless water snakes are popularly
supposed to be and are called "moccasins." Unless you have a very close
knowledge of which is which, you should be careful how near you approach
them. The Water Moccasin is found quite abundantly in the east from the
Carolinas southward and along the Mississippi states as far north as
Illinois. It likes swamps and is found abundantly in many southern
swampy sections. This snake is often known as the "Cotton Mouth" Snake.
It is vicious and pugnacious and will fight snakes of any size. The
prey of this serpent consists of birds, frogs, other snakes, fish and
small animals. The Copperhead derives its name from the copperish tint
on its head. It is not as large a snake as the Water Moccasin, nor does
it like the swamps. It frequents rocky locations that are thickly
wooded. It has a peculiar habit of backing away from danger by looping
its body and then drawing it straight again.
[Illustration: THE MOCCASIN.]
THE RATTLESNAKES.
The rattlesnake is the most interesting as well as the most deadly of
the North American serpents. Its chief distinguishing characteristic is
the rattle at the end of tail. Curator Ditmars, of the New York
Zoological Park, says that although he has "studied living examples of
many species of deadly snakes--the South American bushmaster and the
fer-de-lance, the African puff adder and the berg adder, and such East
Indian species as the king cobra, the spectacled cobra and Russell's
viper, and although there is indelibly stamped upon his mind the bloated
body, the glassy stare and the rhythmic hissing of the berg adder, the
rearing, uncanny pose of an infuriated cobra--there is one image vivid
above all, the rattlesnake. Thrown into a gracefully symmetrical coil,
the body inflated, the neck arched in an oblique bow in support of the
heart-shaped head, the slowly waving tongue with spread and tremulous
tips, and above all, the incessant, monotonous whir of the rattle. One
stroke--a flash--of that flat head would inject a virus bringing speedy
death."
[Illustration: RATTLESNAKE.]
The rattlesnake always warns its enemy of its presence by its rattle.
Were it not for this habit there would probably be many more deaths from
the bites of this snake. The snake does not add a new ring to its rattle
each year, as it is popularly supposed to do. The Massasauga is one of
the smaller rattlesnakes, averaging about two feet in length. It
inhabits swampy places. The Timber Rattlesnake is found from Vermont to
Florida and west to Kansas. It is abundant in the mountains of New York,
Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. In the spring and fall the snakes
congregate on ledges of rocks; such places are called "rattlesnake
dens." They spend the winter in crevices in these rocky places. The
Timber Rattler is more timid than many of its cousins, preferring
flight to combat, but if cornered will fight as fiercely. It feeds on
birds and small animals. The largest rattlesnake is the Diamond-back.
Specimens have been caught that measured over six feet long and four
inches around. This snake is one of the most deadly in the world. It is
found most abundantly in Florida. It is never known to strike uncoiled
and rarely retreats from danger. The food of this snake seems to consist
mostly of small animals. It takes but a minute for the poison from the
Diamond-back's fangs to kill a rabbit.
THE TURTLES AND TORTOISES
THE CHELONIA OR TURTLES AND TORTOISES.
Turtles and tortoises belong to the order known as Chelonia. There are
Fresh-water Turtles, Sea Turtles and Land Turtles.
THE SEA TURTLES.
These turtles are often carried by storm far north of their customary
habitat, which is in the warmer waters of the southeastern coast. The
Leatherback, or Trunk Turtle, is the largest of the sea turtles,
sometimes reaching a weight of half a ton. It is not found in abundance.
The Loggerhead Turtle has a very large head. Its eggs are buried in the
sand about May or June and the young turtles hatch out in about two
months' time. The Green Turtle often strays into northern waters. The
flesh of this turtle is prized by epicures. It will die if not placed on
its back, the under shell being pressed by the weight of the upper shell
against its lungs, causing suffocation. The Hawksbill Turtle is
distinguished by the hawk-like appearance of its head. It is the
smallest of the sea turtles and the one from which is obtained the
sought-after tortoise shells.
[Illustration: SEA TURTLE.]
THE SNAPPING TURTLES.
These are the largest of the fresh-water turtles. Like the snakes they
strike at their prey or their enemy, and their sharp mandibles make them
a formidable antagonist. They will pull down their prey under the water
where they always feed. The Alligator Snapping Turtle is found in the
Gulf states. A peculiarity of this reptile is the fleshy filament,
grub-like in appearance, which it has in its mouth and which acts as a
bait, attracting fish within the reach of its powerful jaws.
THE MUD TURTLES.
The Musk Turtle is a common type of the Mud Turtle and is found in
abundance in the muddy streams of the eastern, part of the United
States. It will often be taken on a fish hook. It derives its name from
the odor it gives forth. Seldom is it found out of the water. It snaps
when taken in a way which rivals the Snapping Turtle. The common Mud
Turtle is not as abundant as the Musk turtle to which it is similar in
habit, crawling along the muddy bottoms of ponds and rivers. The under
shell of the Mud Turtles is much broader than that of the Musk turtles.
The Banded Mud Turtle, found in Georgia and Florida, has three yellow
stripes or "bands" on its shell. The Yellow-necked Mud Turtle gets its
name from its bright yellow neck.
THE TERRAPINS.
The Painted Terrapin or Pond Turtle is brightly colored. The under shell
is yellow and the upper shell is bordered with mottled red. It is found
in the eastern United States. You may frequently see it taking a sunning
on a partially submerged log, diving into the water upon your approach.
It feeds on insects, small fishes and water weeds. In your aquarium it
will eat small pieces of beef, fish, worms or tender greens. The Chicken
Turtle or Long-necked Terrapin is found in the southeastern states. The
Yellow-bellied Terrapin is found from Virginia to Georgia. It is one of
the terrapins that are sold in the markets. Many may be seen there,
especially in Charleston. The Cumberland Terrapin may be known by the
red marking on each side of its head. This, too, is sold in the markets;
it is found in the middle western states. The Diamond Back Terrapin is
the most highly prized by epicures--seven-inch-long turtles bringing as
much as $5 or more apiece. It is found in the marshes of the eastern and
southeastern coast states. As the size increases, the price advances.
They are becoming scarce. It always feeds under water. Grows to larger
size in the South. The Spotted Turtle is found in abundant quantities in
the eastern states. It has round yellow spots scattered over its black
upper shell and may be seen near ponds, streams and marshy places. It is
fond of water that is grassy, hiding therein.
THE BOX TURTLES.
This turtle is fitted with a complete suit of armor, into which it can
withdraw and become practically immune from harm. It is not an aquatic
reptile, its food consisting principally of vegetation. It is fond of
berries and is found most abundantly in grassy thickets. It lives many
years. At the approach of winter it burrows into the ground.
[Illustration: BOX TURTLE.]
THE TORTOISES.
The Tortoises live only on the land. The Gopher Tortoise is found from
South Carolina to Florida, and west as far as Texas. It feeds on
vegetation. It inhabits principally the dry and sandy places and makes
long burrows into which it retires from the hot midday sun. The eggs of
this tortoise are buried in the sand and are hatched by the sun's rays
Agassiz's Tortoise, or the Desert Tortoise, is distributed over the
deserts of Arizona and southern California.
THE SOFT-SHELLED TURTLES.
The shells of these turtles are soft and the head has the distinguishing
characteristic of a pointed nose. They are aquatic and are much like the
snapping turtles in habit. Large specimens can do damage with their
sharp jaws. They are popularly known as "flap jack turtles," and they do
not look unlike large pancakes. They are vicious and can make severe
wounds or injuries. Their food is the same as that of the snapping
turtles; in fact, they have so many points in common that they are often
called "soft-shelled snapping turtles."
THE CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS
THE CROCODILIA OR THE CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS.
The Crocodiles and Alligators belong to that order of reptiles known as
Crocodilia. The Alligator's head is broad and blunt; the Crocodile's is
narrow and sharp.
[Illustration:
1. ALLIGATOR.
2. CROCODILE.]
The Alligators are distributed over the low and swampy ground from North
Carolina southward, but are becoming rare almost to the point of
extinction. Their skin is valued and their eggs are sought as food so
that they are annually becoming rarer. They are afraid of man, but if
cornered will fight. Their jaws are large, powerful and provided with
strong teeth, capable of inflicting serious injury. They feed on fish,
animals and birds. Alligators make a "bellowing" sound. The Crocodile is
livelier and more pugnacious than the Alligator, but there are no
"man-eating" Crocodiles in the United States.
INDEX
Adder,
Berg, 177
Checkered, 168
Flat-headed, 169
Puff, 169, 171
Agassiz's Tortoise, 181
Alligators, 183, 185
Alligator Snapping Turtle, 177
Anolis, 152
Banded
Gecko, 152
Mud Turtle, 180
Water Snake, 164
Beaded Lizards, 158
Berg Adder, 177
Black
-banded Skink, 159
Iguana, 153
Snake, 166
Mountain, 167
Pilot, 167
Blind Snakes, 163
California, 163
Texas, 163
Blow Snake, 169
Boas, 163
Rubber, 163
Box Turtle, 173
Brown Snake, 166
Bull Snake, 167
Bushmaster, 171
California
Blind Snake, 163
Horned Toad, 157
Cape
Gecko, 152
Iguana, 153
Chameleon, 152
Checkered Adder, 168
Chelonia, 147, 177
Chicken
Snake, 167
Red, 167
Turtle, 180
Chuckawalla, 154
Clark's Swift, 156
Coachwhip Snake, 166
Cobra,
King, 171
Spectacled, 171
Cobra-de-Capello, 169
Collared
Lizard, 151, 155
Swift, 156
Colubers, 167
Red, 167
Common Swift, 151, 156
Copperhead, 171
Coral Snake, 169
Corn Snake, 167
Cotton Mouth Snake, 169
Crocodiles, 183, 185
Crocodilia, 147, 185
Cumberland Terrapin, 180
Desert
Iguana, 154
Tortoise, 181
Diamond-back
Rattlesnake 173
Terrapin, 180
Water Snake, 165
Dinosaurs, 147
Eutaenia, 164
Fence Lizard, 151
Fer-de-lance, 171
Flapjack Turtle, 181
Flat-headed Adder, 169
Florida Skink, 159
Fox Snake, 167
Fresh-water Turtle, 177
Garter Snakes, 164
Gecko, 152
Banded, 152
Cape, 152
Reef, 152
Warty, 152
Gila Monster, 158
Glass Snake, 158
Gopher
Snake, 166, 167
Tortoise, 181
Grass Snake, 168
Green
Turtle, 177
Water Snake, 165
Whip Snake, 167
Ground Snake, 166
Harlequin Snake, 169
Hawksbill Turtle, 177
Hog-nosed Snakes, 168
Hoop Snake, 168
Horn Snake, 168
Horned
Lizard, 156
Toads, 156
California, 156
Regal, 156
Ichthyosaurs, 147
Iguana, 152, 153
Black, 153
Cape, 153
Desert, 154
Indigo Snake, 166
Keeled Lizard, 157
King
Cobra, 171
Snake, 168
Lacertilia, 147, 151
Land Turtle, 177
Leatherback Turtle, 177
Leopard Lizard, 155
Lizards, 149
Beaded, 158
Collared, 151, 155
Fence, 151
Horned, 156
Keeled, 157
Leopard, 155
Red-headed, 159
Snake-like, 156
Spotted, 155
Worm, 158
Xanthus, 158
Zebra-tailed, 151, 155
Loggerhead Turtle, 177
Long-necked Terrapin, 180
Magnolia Snake, 167
Massasauga, 171
Milk Snake, 168
Red, 168
Moccasin, 165, 169, 170
Water, 169
Mountain, Black, Snake, 167
Mouse Snake, 167
Mud
Snake, 168
Turtle, 179
Musk Turtle, 178
Ophidia, 147, 163
Pacific Swift, 151
Painted Terrapin, 180
Pilot Black Snake, 167
Pine Snake, 167
Plesiosaurs, 147
Pond Turtle, 180
Pterosaurs, 147, 148
Puff Adder, 169, 171
Queen Snakes, 164
Racers, 166
Scarlet, 167
Striped, 166
Race Runners, 158
Rainbow Snake, 168
Rattlesnakes, 171, 172, 173
Diamond-back, 173
Rat Snake, 167
Red
-bellied Snake, 168
Water Snake, 165
Chicken Snake, 167
Coluber, 167
Headed Lizard, 159
Milk Snake, 168
Reef Gecko, 152
Regal Horned Toad, 157
Ribbon Snakes, 163
Ring-necked Snakes, 168
Rubber Boas, 163
Russell's Viper, 171
Scarlet Racer, 167
Sea Turtles, 177, 178
Silver Snake, 163
Skink, 159
Black-banded, 159
Florida, 159
Snake-like Lizards, 156
Snakes, 163
Banded Water, 164
Black, 166
Blind, 163
California, 163
Texas, 163
Blow, 169
Brown, 166
Bull, 167
California Blind, 163
Chicken, 167
Red, 167
Coachwhip, 166
Copperhead, 171
Coral, 169
Corn, 167
Cotton Mouth, 169
Diamond-back
Rattle, 173
Water, 165
Fox, 167
Garter, 164
Glass, 158
Gopher, 166, 167
Grass, 168
Green, 167
Water, 165
Whip, 167
Ground, 166
Harlequin, 169
Hog-nosed, 168
Hoop, 168
Horn, 168
Indigo, 166
King, 168
Magnolia, 167
Milk, 168
Mountain, Black, 167
Mouse, 167
Mud, 168
Pilot Black, 167
Pine, 167
Queen, 164
Rainbow, 168
Rat, 167
Red
-bellied, 168
Water, 165
Milk, 168
Ribbon, 163
Ring-necked, 168
Silver, 163
Texas Blind, 163
Two-headed, 163
Water, 164, 165
Worm, 163
Yellow Gopher, 167
Snapping Turtle, 177
Soft-shelled Turtle, 181
Spectacled Cobra, 171
Sphenodon, 147
Spotted
Lizard, 155
Turtle, 180
Striped Racers, 166
Swifts, 156
Clark's, 156
Collared, 156
Common, 151, 156
Pacific, 151
White-bellied, 151
Yellow-striped, 156
Terrapin, 180
Cumberland, 180
Diamond-back, 180
Long-necked, 180
Painted, 180
Yellow-bellied, 180
Texas Blind Snake, 163
Timber Rattlesnake, 171
Tortoises, 181
Agassiz's, 181
Desert, 181
Gopher, 181
Trunk Turtle, 177
Turtles, 175
Alligator Snapping, 177
Banded Mud, 180
Box, 181
Chicken, 180
Flapjack, 181
Fresh-water, 177
Green, 177
Hawksbill, 177
Land, 177
Leatherback, 177
Loggerhead, 177
Mud, 179
Musk, 179
Pond, 180
Sea, 177, 178
Snapping, 177
Soft-shelled, 181
Spotted, 180
Trunk, 177
Two-headed Snake, 163
Viper, 169
Russell's, 171
Warty Gecko, 152
Water Moccasin, 169
Water Snakes, 164, 165
Diamond-back, 165
Green, 165
Red-bellied, 165
Whip Snake, Green, 167
White-bellied Swift, 151
Worm
Lizards, 158
Snakes, 163
Yellow
-bellied Terrapin, 180
Gopher Snake, 167
Striped Swift, 156
Xanthus Lizards, 158
Zebra-tailed Lizards, 151, 155
THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS
A SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS
Which, in addition to the interesting boy scout stories by CAPTAIN ALAN
DOUGLAS, Scoutmaster, contain articles on nature lore, native animals
and a fund of other information pertaining to out-of-door life, that
will appeal to the boy's love of the open
I. THE CAMPFIRES OF THE WOLF PATROL
Their first camping experience affords the scouts splendid opportunities
to use their recently acquired knowledge in a practical way. Elmer
Chenowith, a lad from the northwest woods, astonishes everyone by his
familiarity with camp life. A clean, wholesome story every boy should
read.
II. WOODCRAFT; OR, HOW A PATROL LEADER MADE GOOD
This tale presents many stirring situations in which some of the boys
are called upon to exercise all their ingenuity and unselfishness. A
story filled with healthful excitement.
III. PATHFINDER; OR, THE MISSING TENDERFOOT
Some mysteries are cleared up in a most unexpected way, greatly to the
credit of our young friends. A variety of incidents follow fast, one
after the other.
IV. FAST NINE; OR, A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD
They show the same team-work here as when in camp. The description of
the final game with the team of a rival town, and the outcome thereof,
form a stirring narrative. One of the best baseball stories of recent
years.
V. GREAT HIKE; OR, THE PRIDE OF THE KHAKI TROOP
After weeks of preparation the scouts start out on their greatest
undertaking. Their march takes them far from home, and the good-natured
rivalry of the different patrols furnishes many interesting and amusing
situations.
VI. ENDURANCE TEST; OR, HOW CLEAR GRIT WON THE DAY
Few stories "get" us more than illustrations of pluck in the face of
apparent failure. Our heroes show the stuff they are made of and
surprise their most ardent admirers. One of the best stories Captain
Douglas has written.
BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE TO BE FOUND IN THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUT SERIES
Wild Animals of the United States--Tracking--in Number I.
Trees and Wild Flowers of the United States in Number II.
Reptiles of the United States in Number III.
Fishes of the United States in Number IV.
Insects of the United States in Number V.
Birds of the United States in Number VI.
_Cloth Binding Cover Illustrations in Four Colors 40c. Per Volume_
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
147 FOURTH AVENUE (near 14th St) NEW YORK
Transcriber's Note:
Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. Dialect
spellings have been retained.