SERPENTS OF THE NORTHEASTERN STATES 19 



The two species are often confused on gross examination. The black 

 racer is of satiny luster, with smooth scales. It is of uniform black 

 above, both scales and skin. The only break in its monotone is a 

 white patch on the chin or the lower labial plates. 



The blacksnake is of interest in being alert, extremely swift, 

 and savage if cornered. Occasional specimens, in the breeding season, 

 which is May, will actually attack. It will glide toward an intruder 

 on the ledgy hibernating quarters, striking madly at one's feet or 

 legs. If among dried leaves, it will vibrate the tail, producing a buzz- 

 ing sound. This is also the habit of the mountain blacksnake, corn 

 snake, pine snake, king snake, milk snake and the poisonous copper- 

 head. 



This serpent is not an enemy of the rattlesnake, nor is it a con- 

 strictor, as the scientific name implies. Both species have been noted 

 in close proximity, basking in the sunshine, apparently in entirely 

 normal, fraternal association. 



The food consists of frogs, small rodents and small birds — rodents 

 forming the greater portion of the food. It is of economic value and 

 should be preserved. The eggs are laid under flat stones during June 

 or July and hatch in six to eight weeks' time. They are unique among 

 the eggs of the local, oviparous serpents in appearing as if sparsely 

 sprinkled with grains of coarse salt. The young are grayish and 

 strongly blotched when hatched and retain this pattern up to the 

 following summer, somewhat resembling young milk snakes, but dis- 

 tinguished by the proportionately larger eyes and by the tendency of 

 the blotches on the back to become very narrow as they approach the 

 tail, practically disappearing posteriorly. Adult specimens attain a 

 length of six feet. 



General range: The typical black racer inhabits the entire 

 eastern United States, extending westward to the plains, where it 

 gives way to a paler variety or subspecies, grayish or bluish, with yel- 

 low undersurface. This is the blue racer of the plains, which extends 

 westward to the Pacific Coast. 



Corn Snake 



Elaphe guttata (Linne) 



(Fig. 10) 



The corn snake is a southern species and seldom is found north 

 of Maryland, but as it has been recorded several times from the State 

 of New Jersey, it comes within the scope of the present listing. Dr. 

 Henry W. Fowler of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 

 writes: "Specimens were taken at Chatsworth, New Jersey . . . and 

 this is the only locality I know it from in the State limits." We re- 

 ceived a small adult specimen which had been picked up by an auto- 



