140 



are beneficial rather than obnoxious. They are not poisonous, and 

 in every way should be protected. 



Holbrook, in 1842, published that it ate ''insects, grasshoppers 

 and crickets," and a few other writers have followed him, but this 

 was only a supposition. We can find no other published notes on 

 the food of this harmless and beneficial little serpent. 



The summar}' of our collection of this species in Pennsylvania 

 is as follows: 



Bucks County, Krelss, P. S Benjamin. 



Clinton County, Singer G. P Lnock Haven. 



Dauphin County, Stevenson, A Harrisburg. 



Wise, Norman Harrisburg. 



Anderson, C. S, Harrisburg. 



Fickes, Howard Hari-isburg. 



Erie County, Laurie, C. F. , Erie. 



Mixer, E. M., Waterford. 



Huntingdon County Payne, W. S. , Orbisonia. 



Lycoming County, Van Housen, Chas Williamsport. 



Luzerne County Campbell, E. W Pittston. 



Monroe County Schock, H. M Effort. 



Montour County, Dieffenbacher, D. N. , Dar , ule. 



Northampton County, ....Rice, A.J Easton. 



Mack , J. A. , Bethlehem. 



Venango County Blatt, W. O Oil City. 



Washington County, Couch, Merle Hickory. 



No. 0. Olonopfiis hlrilandi (Kenn.) Little Red Snake. 



The Little Red Snake is a western species, being found mostly 

 from Ohio to Illinois. We have received only one specimen of this 

 specieg from Pennsylvania. It is our No. 1411, sent by Mr.L. ChristiiN 

 of West Sunbury, Butler county, September 28, 1904. As the stomach 

 was empty nothing can be said about its food, and the only pub- 

 lished statement we can find is by Dr. Atkinson, who merely says 

 that in captivity it ate slugs. It is to be sought and no .doubt found 

 in the western and especially {he southwestern parts of P(»nnsyl- 

 vania, and we hop^ that interested persons in that part of the 

 State will watch for it and send us specimens. 



The Little Red Snake is to be distinguished from all others by 

 the fact that all the scales arc keeled and arranged in nineteen 

 rows, and the anal i)lal(' is bilid or parted. The venti-al i)lates are 

 about one hundred and thirty-five in number, and the head is 

 small, black and shining. Tiie color above- is light reddish brown with 

 four series of cound black si'ols. and the belly is reddish with 

 a row of black spots on each side. This coloration will distinguish 

 it, as other species do not have llic si)()(s. Comparatively little is 

 known of its habits or food. Our six'cimen is fifteen inches in 



