The fish would be at rest--no doubt, watching the surface for his own prey: such flies or beetles as might come along.

Thus occupied, he does not heed the great dusky mass that is gliding slowly towards him, and which presents no threatening appearance--for the head of the alligator is at this time turned away from his intended victim.

Although apparently asleep, the alligator knows what he is about well enough.

He floats silently on, until he has got the fish within sweep of his great tail, that is all the while bent like a bow; and then, taking sure aim, he strikes the unconscious prey a `slap' that kills it at once--sometimes throwing it directly into his jaws, and sometimes flinging it several feet out of the water! "When on land the alligator strikes his prey in a similar manner.

As he gives the blow, his head turns so as to meet the tail half-way--the whole body thus forming a semicircle.