136 



arranged in 17 rows, two loral plates present and the tail one-third 

 of the total length, which is not over twelve inches. The head is 

 long, neck small, eyes large, color reddish-gray above and salmon- 

 red beneath. 



While the preceding species is known as a southern serpent, this 

 one occnrs in western localities, living from Virginia to Wisconsin 

 and Texas. It should be found in the southern part of Pennsylvania, 

 but we find no record w-here it has been collected in this State, and 

 we have no specimen of it. We insert it here upon the authority of 

 reliable although earlier writers upon the subject, and hope that 

 our friends who have the good fortune to live in the southern part 

 of this Commonwealth will help to make our search for this species 

 successful. While we have been unable to examine any specimens, 

 .and find no author mentioning its food, it no doubt feeds upon 

 insects, earthworms, mollusks and very small frogs and toads. Con- 

 cerning its manner of reproduction we are unable to find any indi- 

 cations or reports. 



No. 4. Storeria occiintomaculata (Storer.) Red-btHied Snake. 



The Red-bellied Snake, of course, receives its name from the 

 color of the under side, which' is salmon red. However, this char- 

 acter should not be relied upon too closely, as all specimens of this 

 species do not have such well-marked red colors beneath, and speei- 

 mens of certain other species, especially the next, and the preced- 

 ing, are often reddish below. Its generic name, "Storeria," is given 

 it in honor of Dr. David Humphreys Storer, an early and noted 

 writer on Reptiles. The specific name, ''^occipitomaculata," means 

 "spotted occiput," or top of head, and refers to the three pale 

 blotches which are quite constantly present on the occiput or back 

 of head. 



The Red-bellied Snake is described as follows: "Grayish or chest- 

 nut brown, usually showing a paler vertebral band bordered by 

 blackish dots; obscure dots on one side; occiput with three pale 

 blotches (a very constant feature); belly salmon red; scales in fifteen 

 rows; ventral plates one hundred and twenty to one hundred and 

 twenty-five; length twelve inches." (Jordan.) 



This little snake rarely reaches more than twelve inches in 

 length, and is often not more than three or four inches long. It 

 is, of course, entirely harmless and lives under rocks, in woods, and 

 along fences, throughout the entin^ State of Pennsylvania. We 

 have received specimens from contributors in the following coun- 

 ties of Pennsylvania: 



Bedford County Yont, G. W., Osterburg. 



Blair County P.eddle, (Miss) Bertha Bushman. 



Bradford County Wilcox, E. A Sugar Run. 



