170 



No. Specimens: Food Materials: 



In the above extensive list of food materials we find that the 

 Black Snakes have eaten nnvidow mice {Microtus pen7i87jlvanicux) 

 more than any other one material found in their stomachs. Among 

 the economically objectionable food materials which they had taken 

 are grasshoppers, cave crickets, moths and cutworms of different 

 species, leaf beetles, especially clover-leaf beetles, saw tlies, cur- 

 rant worms and meadow mice and voles. The list of bi'neficial food 

 materials are frogs, ichneumon (lies, grass snake, bird, robbins' eggs 

 and rabbit. An important feature of this table is that it shows 

 that the Black Snake eats other snakes, such as Garter Snakes 

 and Grass Snakes, and there is no doubt in our mind of the truth 

 of the generally accepted statement that it is an enemy of the 

 Rattler and Copperhead. 



In striking the balance in (he food of the Black Snake it can 

 not now be decided in favor of this reptile, as \\\v above list shows 

 that it is more obnoxious Ihan beneficial. II is true that an indi- 

 vidual ser])ent may form th<' habit of frequenting the hen house 

 or chickens' nests to seek and eat their eggs, and the projjer thing 

 to do in such a case as this is to meet the trouble by killing the 



