204 COLUBRID^E 



Habits. — All that is known to me of the habits 

 of this close ally of the preceding species is derived 

 from the works of Bonaparte, Gene, and Schreiber, 

 and from a note by Gachet, who observed it near 

 Bordeaux and described it under the name of 

 Coluber rnbens. According to these authors, it 

 frequents dry and rocky localities as well as old 

 walls, in which it finds a refuge and a good supply 

 of the lizards on which it feeds. A large specimen 

 from Albano, near Rome, preserved in the Genoa 

 Museum, had swallowed a full-grown Chalcides 

 tridactylus. This Coronella is crepuscular, rarely 

 showing itself in the daytime, leaving its retreat 

 only after sunset, and has been observed to crawl 

 about by moonlight. Its movements are slow, 

 which accounts for crushed specimens being often 

 met with on paths or roads. Contrary to the rule 

 in C. austriaca, it is extremely gentle, seldom attempt- 

 ing to bite. 



Reproduction.- -Whether this species is ovovivip- 

 arous, like its European congener, has not, I think, 

 been ascertained. All we know on this matter is 

 that a female found dead on a road near Bordeaux 

 by M. Lataste at the end of June contained eggs 

 which showed no trace of embryos. This does not, 

 however, settle the question, as the young would 

 not be born until at least two months later. Accord- 

 ing to Gene, pairing takes place in May, when 

 specimens have been observed to congregate in 

 considerable numbers. 



