Department of Zoological Miscellajty. 263 



This may not be new to ornithologists, but I send it to you 

 for the benefit, perhaps, of others. 



Respectfully, Dr. J. H. Hunt. 



HERPETOLOGY. 



The following items as to black snake, yellow-headed garter 

 snake, pilot snake, ring-necked snake, leather snake, summer 

 green snake, little red snake, Helen's worm snake, cave salaman- 

 der, common land tortoise, lady turtle, painted turtle, brown swift, 

 triton, are contributed by Amos W. Butler : 



Bascaniitm constrictor, (L.) B. & G. Black Snake. — On 

 February 10, 1886, when the ground was frozen and snow was to 

 be found in sheltered localities, a black snake which, from the 

 description, was probably this species, was killed near a "sink 

 hole" on the farm of W. S. Case, four miles from Brookville. 

 Later in theseason several other snakes of the same s])ecies were 

 killed near the same place. 



Eutcenia saiirita. L. Yellow-headed Garter Snake.—- 

 The first specimen of this species from Franklin county was taken 

 April 26, 1886. Several have since been found. This is the most 

 ferocious of all of our snakes. It never waits to be provoked, 

 but hastily coils itself and strikes wickedly at the intruder. I am 

 satisfied that this is frequently thought to be the "copperhead" 

 {Ancistrodon contortrix, (L) B. & G.), a snake which is probably 

 extinct in this county. 



; . Coluteer absolctiis, 'idiy. Pilot Snake ; Blue Racer.— -This is 

 the most arboreal of all our snakes. It is frequently found at 

 quite a distance from the ground upon large and small trees alike. 

 A favorite position for repose appears to be upon some drooping or 

 many-br'anched bush, where it may lie and enjoy the warm sun- 

 shine. They are the most destructive to birds of all our snakes. 

 Several instances of their preference for avian food have been 

 noticed the past summer. Some specimens have been brought to 

 me greatly distended by the bird they had just swallowed. 



Diodophis punctatus, (L.) B. & G. Ring-necked Snake.—- 

 When we found the proper localities, this proved to be a rather 

 common snake. It frequents the dry hillsides where, beneath the 

 bark of long-fallen trees or under a stick or rotten stump, it spends 

 the warmer parts of the day. 



Tropidonatus lel^eris, (L.) Halb. Leather Snake. — This is 

 regularly the earliest snake to appear in the spring and the last to 



