82 



on each side. The sides are furuislied w ith iiiauy specks and spots of 

 brown. The intervals between the spots are grayish or olive. The head 

 is mottled and specked. Below, the color is greenish-white, with three 

 or four specks of brown on each scale. Specimens over 18 inches begin 

 to assume the coloration of the adult. 



The range of this variety is from the Mississipi)i River eastward. It 

 is to be found in all portions of Indiana, and it is unnecessary to specify 

 localities. 



No species of our snakes is, probably, better known, or, at least, more 

 talked about, than is the "Black-snake" or "Black-racer," or, as it is 

 often called, the "Blue-racer." This is true j^robably because of its 

 abundance in all localities and because of its bold, active, and aggressive 

 disposition. It is, however, somewhat confounded with another common 

 Black-snake, Cohiher ohsoletus, which does not appear to be nearly so 

 active or so saucy. 



The systematic name of this snake, constrictor, was given in allusion to 

 its supposed habit of entwining itself about the limbs and bodies of per- 

 sons whom it might see fit to attack. Gmeliu, one of its early describers, 

 speaks of it as running with great velocity, biting without poison, attack- 

 ing men by entwining itself about their limbs and squeezing. This is a 

 widely spread idea concerning these snakes M the present day, and there 

 is no doubt some truth in it. However, their daring is greatly exagger- 

 ated, and the stories that we may hear everywhere about their squeezing 

 people to death are without sufficient fouudatiou. If one of these snakes 

 were driven to bay, or were seized, there is little doubt that it would defend 

 itself with great vigor and promptness. These serpents are not without 

 wisdom, and it is a common reputation which they have that they will 

 sometimes pursue persons who are retreating, but when the latter turn 

 the snakes will seek safety in flight. They are evidently full of curiosity, 

 and will often follow persons or objects, apparently merely to observe 

 them. I have been told of one of these snakes which was in a meadow 

 where a mowing machine was at work. The noise of the mower appeared 

 to excite the reptile greatly, and it followed the machine around the 

 meadow several times. At last it became so wrought up that it sprang 

 over the sickle bar and was cut into pieces. It is possible that in this 

 case the animal had young ones in the vicinity. Prof. Blatchley says 

 (94, '91, 31) that they are vicious, and will hiss and strike at a trespasser 

 when they are seeking a hiding place for the winter. 



DeKay states that it is a bold, wild, and untameable animal, and that it 

 climbs trees with great ease by twining itself around the trunk in a spiral 

 manner. This it does in quest of eggs and the young of birds. Hol- 

 brook says that it feeds on mice, toads, and small birds. It is bold and 

 daring, entering barns and outhouses without fear, and has been known 

 to destroy young chickens. He also reports it as very irascible during 



