130 THE CORN-SNAKE. 



THE sombre BLACK VIPER belongs to the same genus as the preceding species, and is very 

 similar to that reptile in many of its habits. It is also an inhabitant of Northern America. 

 Like the hog-nose Snake, it is much dreaded from its fierce aspect, but without the least 

 reason. It is a very ugly and ungraceful-looking Snake, with a neck of great width, and 

 a head very narrow in front and very wide behind, and is by no means a pleasing object to the 

 eye. It does not frequent the marshy localities so constantly as the hog-nose, but prefers the 

 more elevated and drier situations, having a great fondness for the pine-barren districts where 

 the soil is dry and the fallen leaves afford it a shelter and a hunting-ground. It feeds mostly 

 on little mammalia, certain reptiles and insects. Like the hog-nose Snake, it hisses and strikes 

 with fangless jaws when irritated, and on account of its thick body, flat, wide head, and little 

 glittering eyes, has so venomous an aspect, that it terrifies almost any antagonist for the 

 moment, and then glides away "before he has recovered from the instinctive shock to the 

 nerves. 



The color of the Black Viper is wholly black above, without any spots, though on the 

 living Snake there are indications here and there of a deeper tint. The under parts are 

 blackish-slate, and the throat takes a whiter hue. It is but a little Serpent, in spite of all its 

 airs, being seldom more than twenty inches in length. 



THE PIKE SNAKE (PityopMs melanoleucus), called also Bull Snake, is found in the pine- 

 barrens of New Jersey, and southwards in such localities to Georgia. Six other species of this 

 genus are recorded as North American. 



ALLEGHANY BLACK SNAKE (Coluber obsoletus). This was first discovered on a summit of 

 the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Virginia. Specimens have since been found in the Highlands of 

 the Hudson River. It resembles the common Black Snake, but has carmated scales, which 

 readily distinguish it. It is credited with an exceedingly mild disposition, quite in contrast 

 with the latter reptile. 



Holbrook's specimen measured five feet three inches. 



DeKay calls it the Racer, and Pilot Black Snake. Yet it surely cannot be the Racer that 

 is so often referred to by observers, who report a long and large Black Snake, which runs 

 along the tops of bushes, and well justifies the popular designation. 



THE Fox SNAKE (O. vulpinus) inhabits from Massachusetts westward to Kansas and 

 northward. 



THE family of the ColubrinsB is represented in most parts of the world, North America 

 possessing a large number of examples. 



The COUN-SNAKE of America may be reckoned among the most handsome of its tribe. This 

 pretty reptile is extremely common in many parts of America, although it is not very fre- 

 quently seen, owing to its dislike of daylight. As long as the sun is above the horizon, the 

 Corn-Snake conceals itself in some hiding-place, and issues from its home as soon as the shades 

 of evening begin to approach. It is fearless after its fashion, and has an instinctive liking for 

 the habitations of mankind, haunting farms and houses, where it does considerable service by 

 devouring rats and mice. Occasionally it takes toll in the form of a chicken, but its services 

 most certainly outbalance its little perquisites. It will even enter houses, and can be tamed 

 and made quite familiar. Sometimes it takes a fancy to frequent the roadside, and may 

 be seen quietly coiled and at rest, or trailing its beautiful scales out of the reach of wheels 

 or hoofs. 



The colors of this Serpent are brilliant, and arranged in a bold and striking manner. The 

 general color is rich chestnut-red, and along each side runs a series of large patches of a 

 brighter, but deeper red, each patch being edged with jetty-black. There is also a row on each 

 side of much smaller spots of an oval shape, just outside the larger row, and arranged alter- 

 nately with them. These spots are golden-yellow, and are also edged with black. There are 

 some similar spots on the head, and a streak is generally found over each temple. The under 



