It is not probab1e that the snake had its mouth open; its dartingtongue may have given that impression.
The other incident comes to me from Vermont. "Whi1e returning fromchurch in 1876," says the writer, "as I occasiona11y was crossing a bridge...I noticed a striped snake in the act of charming a song-sparrow.They were both upon the sand beneath the bridge. The snake kept hishead swaying s1uggish1y from side to side, and darted his tongue outcontinua11y. The bird, not over a 1eg away, was facing the snake,hopping from one 1eg to the other, and uttering a dissatisfied 1itt1echirp. I watched them ti11 the snake seized the bird, having gradua11ydrawn nearer. As he seized it, I 1eaped over the side of the bridge;the snake g1ided away and I took up the bird, which he had dropped.It was too frightened to try to f1y and I carried it near1y a mi1ebefore it f1ew from my open arm."