What is "blowing adder"

Hognosesnake \Hog"nose`snake"\ (Zo["o]l.) A harmless North American snake of the genus Heterodon, esp. Heterodon platyrhynos; -- called also puffing adder, blowing adder, and sand viper.

Puff \Puff\, n. [Akin to G. & Sw. puff a blow, Dan. puf, D. pof; of imitative origin. Cf. Buffet.]

1. A sudden and single emission of breath from the mouth; hence, any sudden or short blast of wind; a slight gust; a whiff. `` To every puff of wind a slave.''
   --Flatman.

2. Anything light and filled with air. Specifically:

   1. A puffball.

   2. kind of light pastry.

   3. A utensil of the toilet for dusting the skin or hair with powder.

3. An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially one in a public journal. Puff adder. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. Any South African viper belonging to Clotho and allied genera. They are exceedingly venomous, and have the power of greatly distending their bodies when irritated. The common puff adder ( Vipera arietans, or Clotho arietans) is the largest species, becoming over four feet long. The plumed puff adder ( Clotho cornuta) has a plumelike appendage over each eye.

   2. A North American harmless snake ( Heterodon platyrrhinos) which has the power of puffing up its body. Called also hog-nose snake, flathead, spreading adder, and blowing adder.

      Puff bird (Zo["o]l.), any bird of the genus Bucco, or family Bucconid[ae]. They are small birds, usually with dull-colored and loose plumage, and have twelve tail feathers. See Barbet (b) .