The birds, however, who made that nest had deserted it; for it was now occupied by a creature of a far different kind--a scorpion-lizard--whose red head and brown shoulders at the moment protruded from the hole.
All who have travelled the great American forests are familiar with such a sight--for this animal may be often observed in similar situations.

A more disagreeable sight is rarely met with.

The scorpion-lizard, with his red head and olive-brown body, is a hideous-looking reptile at best; but when thus peering from his gloomy tree-cave, moving his pointed snout from side to side, his dark eyes glancing all the while with a fierce, malignant expression, it is difficult to conceive a more vicious-looking creature.
His head was in motion when Francois spake--for it was this that had caught the eye of the boy.

It was moving from side to side, protruded out from the hole, the snout pointing downwards.

The animal was watching the ground below, and evidently preparing to issue forth, and come down.