Hay Batrachians and Reptiles of D. C. 141 



45. Storeria dekayi (Holbrook). DeKay's Snake. 



With the general form and proportions of the preceding; upper labials, 



7, eye over third and fourth; lower labials, 7, fourth and fifth large; 

 scales in 17 rows, all keeled; ventral plates, 120 to 145. subcaudals, 40 to 

 60. Grayish brown, with a clay colored dorsal band, bordered by a row 

 of brown or black dots (occasionally a second series lower down) ; a dark 

 patch on each side of the back of the head; belly grajash, yellowish or 

 reddish. Length, 12 inches. 



This species is perhaps more common than the preceding and is less 

 retiring in its habits. I have taken it in some numbers at the localities 

 just mentioned. 



46. Virginia valeriae (Baird and Girard). Valeria's Snake. 



Head small, narrow, and relatively high; snout pointed and the sides 

 of the head perpendicular; upper labials, 6, the fifth largest, eye over 

 third and fourth; lower labials, 6; scales in 15 rows, those on the tail 

 feebly keeled, all the others smooth; ventral plates, 111 to 128; sub 

 caudals, 24 to 37. Yellowish or grayish brown above, with usually 

 scattered dots forming a faint line on each side of the back; a faint light 

 line along the middle of each scale; beneath, the color is uniform dull 

 yellow. Length, 8 to 10 inches. 



Not an uncommon species in thick woods, 



47. Agkistrodon contortrix (Linn.). Copperhead. 



Stoutish but with rather slender neck. Head large, flat, triangular, 

 and with the sides in front of the eyes perpendicular; upper labials, 7 or 



8, none of them reaching the eye; lower labials, 10; scales in 23 rows, all 

 keeled; ventral plates, 150 to 155; subcaudals, 42 to 52, all entire except 

 the last 8 to 18. Hazel brown, sides with a series of 15 to 25 A shaped 

 chestnut brown blotches which extend to or across the vertebral line; top 

 of head coppery-red; sides of head and end of snout cream colored; belly 

 yellowish, with 25 to 45 dark spots on each side. Length, 1 to 3 feet. 



This serpent is still not uncommon notwithstanding the efforts to ex 

 terminate it. It is a frequenter of cool, damp woods and generally 

 chooses a place where rock debris will afford it a ready refuge in time of 

 danger. Although its bite is extremely dangerous, it is not often inflicted, 

 the reptile seeming to prefer to run away rather than fight. I have taken 

 two or three large specimens alive which showed no disposition to bite 

 until after their capture. 



48. Crotalus horridus (Linn.). Common Rattlesnake. 



Form of head and body like the preceding species but with the 

 end of the tail provided with a jointed rattle. Upper labials, 12 to 16, 

 none of them touching the orbit; lower labials 13 to 18; scales in 23 to 

 25 rows, all, except those of outer row, keeled; ventral plates, 165 to 175; 



