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aud othor Batrachiaus by various authors. Dr. Atkinson has taken 

 a yoiinj;- rabbit from the stomach of one of these serpents. 



The following table shows the variety of food of this peculiarly 

 American reptile: 



No. Specimens: Food Materials: 



1 Undet. Vertebrate. 



3 Undet. Mammals. 



1 Rabbit. 



1 Jumping- Mouse. 



6 Meadow Mice. 



1 White-footed Mouse. 



1 Common Rat. 



1 Small Red Squirrel. 



1 Undet. Shrew. 



1 Common Shrew. 



The above table shows that it feeds almost wholly upon mam- 

 mals or the hairy quadrupeds. As most of these are very obnoxious 

 in their economic relations to mankind, the Rattle Snake, from its 

 feeding habits alone, must be considered one of our important and 

 valuable creatures, as it aids in holding in check the mice and rats 

 that are so destructive to crops of various kinds. 



