The \A^ater Snakes 



THE QUEEN SNAKE 

 Tropidonotus leheris, (Linn.) 



Moderate in size, this species is considerably more slender 

 than the majority of the water snakes. Its scales are roughly 

 keeled. 



Colouration. — Dark brown above, with three narrow, 

 black stripes on the back (which are often indistinct) and a 

 bright yellow stripe on the lower portion of the side, covering 

 one-half of the first and second rows of scales. 



The abdomen is yellow, with two dark brown stripes in 

 the centre. If the narrow area of ground-colour beneath the 

 yellow stripe on the side may be termed a band, this species 

 might be said to have four dark bands beneath. 



The upper lip plates {labials) and the nose plate {rostral) 

 are )'ellow. 



Dimensions. — The measurements of an adult specimen are 

 given : 



Total Length 2 feet. 



Length of Tail 4J inches. 



Greatest Diameter f " 



Width of Head rV " 



Length of Head J 



Distribution. — The United States generally, east of the 

 Mississippi River, but not common in the e.xtreme Northern or 

 Southern States. It is abundant in Ohio and the eastern por- 

 tion of Illinois. 



Habits. — Having no opportunity of observing many of 

 these snakes in captivity, the writer is indebted to Mr. C. S. 

 Brimley, of Raleigh, North Carolina, for the following notes 

 upon the habits: 



"So far as I know, Natri.x leberis is aquatic and hangs on 

 the bushes above the small brooks. Curiously enough it is only 

 found on tributaries of Crabtree Creek, on the north side of 

 Raleigh and not on the tributaries of Walnut Creek south of 

 town. I am not sure whether I have ever had one to take food 

 in captivity, but rather think I have. If one did, the food was 

 live frogs or toads. I don't think it ever stays about sluggish 

 streams or about ponds. The valley of Walnut, I might add, 

 is much more marshy and the stream itself more sluggish than 



243 



