138 Hay Batrachians and Reptiles of D. C. 



36. Lam propel t is doliatus (Linn.). House-snake; Milk-snake; Chicken- 

 snake. 



Head small; upper labials 7; lower labials 9 (occasionally 10), eye over 

 third and fourth; scales smooth, in 21 rows (rarely 19, 20, or 22); ventral 

 plates, 184 to 214. Length, 2 to 4 feet. The coloration is variable and 

 on it numerous subspecies have been based; three of these occur 

 within our limits. 



a. Lampropeltis doliatus doliatus. (Linn.). 



Bright red above, with 20 to 30 triple rings, of which two black ones 

 enclose one of white or yellow; the black rings do not pass around the 

 body, but the anterior of one set turns forward and joins the posterior of 

 the preceding set on the ends of the ventral plates; sides with spots 

 alternating with the dorsal blotches. Common in all parts of the District. 



b. Lampropeltis doliatus triangulus. Cope. 



Brownish red or gray above with a dorsal series of about 55 grayish 

 brown or chocolate colored, black bordered blotches which do not reach 

 the ventral plates; on each side are two, more or less confluent, rows of 

 spots, blue black in color, the lowest row situated on the first and second 

 rows of scales; a spot of yellow on the back of the head and a band of 

 black bordered above by yellow running from in front of the eyes back 

 onto the neck. There are seven records of the capture of this form 

 within our limits. 



c. Lampropeltis doliatus collaris. Cope. 



Yellowish red with a series of reddish brown, dark bordered 'spots 

 which do not extend further down than to the second row of scales; 

 alternating spots black, extending from the second row of scales to, and 

 including, the ends of the ventral plates; top of head with cross bands 

 of yellow and brown or black; sides of head with black and yellow bands. 

 This form seems to be rarer here than either of the preceding as there 

 are but few records of its capture. 



37. Lampropeltis rhombomaculatus (Holbrook). Brown Snake. 



Head small, hardly distinct from the body, snout blunt; upper labials, 

 7; lower labials, 9; scales all smooth, in 21 rows; ventral plates about 

 205; chestnut brown above, becoming lighter on the sides; below, light 

 reddish yellow, obscurely blotched with brown; on the back is a series 

 of from 52 to 60 rhomboidal, dark brown blotches and on the sides a series 

 of about 42 smaller, rather indistinct spots mostly alternating with those 

 of the dorsal series; neck and back of head with a longitudinal stripe of 

 dark brown on each side. Length, 30 to 46 inches. 



Until within the last few years this snake was regarded as a great 

 rarity but it is apparently becoming quite common in our region. It 

 was noticed first near Alexandria, then at Rosslyn, and a few seasons 

 later began to be taken on the northern side of the Potomac. It now 

 seems to have extended its range as far north as Woodside. It is a very 

 handsome snake, graceful, and usually quite good tempered. 



