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to about thirty inches in length. The summer 
green snake is bright brilliant green above, and 
creamy white or delicate pale green beneath. 
It frequents low bushes in search of its insect 
food. 
Now, in addition to the species of our com- 
mon snakes already discussed, and which attain 
a length of over two feet when full grown, we 
have several species of small harmless snakes 
that do not grow over twenty inches in length. 
These little snakes are perfectly harmless, never 
attempting to bite. They subsist on tadpoles, 
grubs, earthworms and small insects, and most 
of them burrow in search of their food.” 
THE RING-NECKED SNAKE. 
“In my opinion, the prettiest species of all 
our snakes is the beautiful little ring-necked 
snake—Diadophis punctatus. 
This pretty little creature has a slight grace- 
ful form, with head depressed and large eyes, 
and it attains a length of fifteen inches. The 
general color above, a rich blue black ; beneath, 
bright pale orange, with each scale dotted on 
its outer edges with small black dots, one on 
each edge. Generally a row of small black dots 
runs along the middle line of the under side, 
one dot to each scute. A yellowish white ring 
around the delicate neck is an always present 
distinguishing mark. 
The ring-neck snake frequents secluded local- 
