18 BRITISH SERPENTS. 



If, however, the sub-caudal scales be counted in 

 these blunt-tailed ring snakes, it will be found that 

 the snakes have been at some previous time deprived 

 of part of the tail by some accident. Thus, in the 

 specimen figured and just mentioned, the scales under 

 the tail numbered thirty-six pairs instead of the sixty- 

 five or more in the normal tail. The end of the tail 

 assumes the spine-like character it had originally, but 

 the tail does not ^row aoain to the former length. 



Haunts. — It may be taken for granted that ring 

 snakes never make their headquarters far from water. 

 Damp marshy districts they delight in, hot arid slopes 

 they avoid — exactly contrary to the taste of the adder. 

 This explains in great part their distribution in these 

 isles. Perhaps the most favourite haunt of the ring 

 snake (if available) is a quarry or other pit in the 

 neighbourhood of a pond or river. In such a place 

 he (or she) can indulge in the luxury of the morning 

 swim in the sunshine, and retire from observation or 

 for the winter's sleep. The long rank grass, too, of 

 the marshy land offers great temptations in the shape 

 of food-supply : where the lizards and amphibians 

 congregate, there also will the ring snake be found. 

 On grassy banks, in undulating fields, it may be 

 encountered, but always more abundantly in well- 

 watered districts. 



Food. — A good deal has yet to be learnt regarding 

 the food - supply of our reptiles, especially in the 

 period of their early youth. In fact, I do not know 



