The Sharp-nosed Snakes 



larvs in the hiding places, It seems probably that the young snakes 

 feed upon such. 



A specimen in the writer's collection displayed interesting 

 habits. When handled, it never showed a disposition to bite, 

 wliich mild nature has been noted with the species generally. 

 Most of its time was spent linder a strip of bark, but when a very 

 young mouse was placed in the case, the snake would glide rapidly 

 for it, seizing the rodent with a dart of the head and then coil 

 tightly about the animal, showing the species, altiiough diminutive 

 in size, to be a typical constrictor. On the 23d of June, this 

 specimen deposited eight eggs; they were white and elongated, 

 and covered with a soft, smooth integument. The snake ap- 

 peared to take an interest in them and coiled always nearby, 

 or around them, a proceeding quite unnecessary from the stand- 

 point of space within the box, as the strip of bark, under which 

 the snake was in the habit of hiding, was over a foot in length. 

 Three weeks after the eggs were laid, one of them was opened 

 to ascertain the process of development; it contained a well- 

 formed embryo, which would have emerged within two weeks' 

 time. A week later, on lifting the bark to examine the snake 

 and her eggs, the creature was found much distorted, having 

 swallowed the remaining seven, which she fully digested within 

 a few days. This remarkable instance of cannibalism was quite 

 inexcusable, as the reptile had been fed at regular intervals. 



The Genus Rhinochilus: Several species are recognised; 

 one is found in the United States. Among colubrine serpents, 

 these snakes are remarkable by the formation of the plates under the 

 tail; these are usually entire, in place of being divided; the ventral 

 plate is entire. Rostral plate sharp and somewhat protruding; 

 flattened on its under surface. Body moderately stout; head 

 slightly distinct. 



leConte's snake 



Rhinochilus lecontei, (Baird & Girard) 

 Size moderate — often a yard long. Head scales normal; usu- 

 ally one large preocular plate; one loreal plate. Scales in 23 rows. 

 Colouration. — The pattern is difficult to describe and quite 

 variable. There are usually alternating black and red blotches 

 on the back, the latter perfectly square; the black extends 

 farther downward on the sides. On the lower part of the sides, 



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