SNAKES OF THE GENUS PITUOPHIS 61 



(1842, vol. 4, p. 9), who adds that this form "inhabits the pine for- 

 ests along the sea coast . . . and is taken alive with much difficulty, 

 as they frequently have large holes in the earth, to which they pre- 

 cipitately retreat when danger is apprehended." 



The account of Dum6ril and Bibron (1854, vol. 7, p. 236) of the 

 habits of melanoleucus is a summary of Holbrook's remarks. 



The most complete discussion of the habits of this form is given by 

 Lockwood (1875a, pp. 1-14, and 1875b, p. 424), who kept specimens 

 as pets for several years, observing their behavior closely during that 

 time. One female in his collection laid 7 eggs. Another (on July 18) 

 laid 12, and "an attempt was made to hatch the eggs, but without 

 success." In nature, the eggs are laid "in sandy soil, where it is dry, 

 and of course somewhat higher than the swamps and streams." The 

 drinldng process he describes as "a true drinking" similar to that of 

 a horse. One specimen under observation that had gone 4 weeks 

 without water drank for 10 minutes and consumed more than a gill. 

 Young chickens, mice, rats, young rabbits, and quail eggs are men- 

 tioned as articles of diet, and the method of constricting and swallow- 

 ing the prey is described in detail. He notes that the food is not 

 beslimed or lubricated before swallowing, and that dead prey is often 

 accepted as readily as living. One specimen is said to have fasted 

 for a year. A detailed account is given also of the process of exuvia- 

 tion (this lasted 35 minutes in one case) and of the mechanism of 

 hissing or "blowing." 



Smith (1881, p. 688) says of this form: "Usually, if not always, the 

 Bull Snake is found in pine woods. It lays from 7 to 12 eggs in July, 

 and prior to oviposition the female is very irritable. They emit an 

 odor which is believed to be of use in attracting the opposite sex." 



Cope (1892, p. 640) says: "This species ranges from New Jersey 

 to Florida, preferring the sandy pine woods of the coastal plain. . . . 

 It is of a very harmless disposition, and may be handled with impu- 

 nity." 



Apparently the only account of the egg-laying habits based on 

 actual observation is given by Moore (1893, p. 878 ff.): 



The material which furnished the data for this account was collected on Aug. 

 3, 1892, at Formosa Bay, Cape May County, N. J. . . . 



The snake which mothered the brood was a fine specimen of its kind, nearly 

 six feet in length. ... At the time of oviposition, which occurred in the middle 

 of May, Mr. Hoff saw the snake traverse the entire length (about 100 yards) of a 

 field planted with squash and cucumber vines, pausing frequently to test the 

 quality of the soil, which was of a loose sandy nature, with its snout. A spot 

 was finally selected by the side of a row of plants, where the more tenacious char- 

 acter of the soil favored the construction of a nest, Excavation was begun by 

 loosening the soil with the head, which was worked under the surface; and the 

 loose earth thrown out. By alternately breaking the ground with the head, and 

 brushing away the loosened soil with the tail, as Mr. Hoff stated, a tunnel was 

 finally constructed of sufficient length to entirely conceal the snake. Within this 



