\o/e'S Oil the r>alrachians and Reptiles of I'igo Co., hid. 3r 



found ill the stomach of one which was dissected on account 

 of its aldermanic appearance. 



9. CoLUHKR OI5SOLKTUS, Sa}'. — Pilot Snake. 



A large and rather coininoii snake, found in <h'>-, open 

 woods, oftentimes in trees and bushes. A specimen fiv^e feet, 

 seven inches long was kept for some time in captivity in a 

 vacant room. When approached it would vibrate its tail very 

 rapidly from side to side, producing a distinct rattling sound, 

 and on entering the room at night with a lamp it would hiss 

 with a loud gurgling noise. A large specimen of the great 

 horned owl. Bubo I'irginianus kept in the same room was 

 finally attacked by the snake, and when discovered the latter 

 had two coils tightly wrapped about the owl, and had crushed 

 it so badly that it soon died. 



10. CvcLOPHis vESTivus, L,. — Summer Green vSnake. 



At least a dozen .specimens of this beautiful and usually 

 rare snake have been taken. It is found on rocky hillsides, 

 mo.st commonly in the vicinity of running water. I have also 

 seen two specimens in blackberry bushes, about four feet from 

 the ground. A specimen kept in captivity in a glass case 

 often rested upon the lower half of its body and raising the 

 other half almost vertically, it would remain rigid and mo- 

 tionless for ten or fifteen minutes at a time. 



II. Bascanion constrictor, Iv. — Black Snake. — Blue Racer. 



Formerl}' very common throughout the State, but becoming 

 much less so each year, as nine out of ever}- ten seen are 

 usually killed out of pure wantoness by persons who know 

 nothing' of their vermin-eating habits. Another cause of 

 their lessening numbers is undoubtedly the rapid disappear- 

 ance of the old Virginia rail fences, beneath the bottom rail 

 of which they were sure of a safe retreat from all attacks. A 

 few are seen every j-ear in this vicinit}', and if met with in 

 late Fall, when they are seeking a hibernaculum, are very 

 vicious, hissing and striking at a person even when several 

 yards away. The young are very diff"ereiit in color from the 

 old, being olive brown, with numerous large, darker colored 

 spots along the sides. 



