The Ring-necked Snakes 



mens in the act of swallowing half-grown green snakes,* and 

 adults of the red-bellied snake. f 



Although the species is oviparous, it appears to be one of 

 those serpents that stand midway between the viviparous and 

 the egg-laying snakes, as the eggs contain large embryos when 

 deposited and hatch in less than half the time required for the 

 development of the eggs of the majority of snakes. The eggs 

 are very elongate and covered with a very thin integument. 

 After deposit they increase rapidly in size, acquiring curious and 

 irregular outlines, which in some instances may be curved, like 

 a boomerang. (Illustration — 3 eggs). 



The writer believes the following to be the first authentic 

 notes published concerning observations on the development 

 of the eggs of this species. The female snake had been received 

 a month previous, from Sullivan County, New York: 



June 28th. Three elongate eggs deposited. These are lyV 

 inches in length, and f of an inch in diam- 

 eter at the thickest part. The female snake is 

 1 5 inches in length. Damp wood pulp was 

 selected as a hatching medium for the eggs. 



July 25th. The eggs have increased in size to a great ex- 

 tent and now measure if inches in length, 

 and ^ an inch in diameter at their thickest part. 



Aug. 8th. All of the eggs have hatched. Just prior to 

 hatching they measured ik inches in length and 

 J an inch in diameter. The young snakes are 

 surprisingly large — 4;!; inches long; the ground 

 colouris darker than the parent — almost black — 

 while the ring around the neck is pale, yellowish- 

 white. 



From the dates given, it will be appreciated that the develop- 

 ment of these eggs was very rapid. A batch of eggs of the coral 

 snake, deposited about the same time, contained embryos but 

 half-way developed, when the Ring-necked Snakes had left their 

 membraneous shells. 



That the breeding habits of this species may vary — and 

 occasional females actually produce living young — seems very 

 probable after the receipt of a letter from Arthur Erwin Brown, 

 Director of the Zoological Gardens in Philadelphia. Mr. Brown 



* Liopeltis vcrnalis. 



t Storeria occipitomaculata. 



336 



