VARIATIONS OF GARTER-SNAKES. 



177 



keels). The spots are not usiiall}" distinct upon the scales, however, 

 owing to the darkness of the ground color. Interspaces on the skin 

 white or bluish white, never red exce])t occasionalh" immediately 

 along the lateral stripe. Stripes greenish or bluish, usually tinged 

 with yellow. Ventral surface greenish or bluish slate. Ventral spots 

 usually well defined. Sides of head greenish, yellowish, or ])luish; 

 abials partly margined with black. 



Habits and habitat relations. — Even in the case of this well-known 

 form but little has been recorded on the habitat relations. The expe- 



FiG. 77 .—Forests in the Porcui'ixe Mountains, Michigan. TiiAMNorni.s .sirtalis is of 



GENERAL DISTRIUUTION IN SUCH FORESTED REGIONS IN EASTERN UNITED STATES. 



rience of the writer indicates that it is cjuite generall}^ distributed 

 in the Eastern forest region, for while it is found most commonly in 

 the vicinit}" of water, it is not uncommon in the clearings, woods, 

 and thickets on the neighboring hills (fig. 77). 



The food consists principally of frogs, toads, salamanders, earth- 

 worms, and various insects. Whether or not it feeds to any great 

 extent upon tadpoles and fish is undetermined. Garman (1892, 268) 

 states that they eat these animals, and I have observed them to 



