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BULLETIN 61, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



quarters, and can be seen at midday sunning themselves near small clumps of scrub- 

 oak bushes, to which they retreat when alarmed. A little later they are found in 

 couples or in small companies. Although they are rarely ever found more than one- 

 eighth of a mile from water, they are, nevertheless, still more anxious to be close to 

 it as the season advances. They will then (in May and June) be found lying close to 

 the water, on the lake shores in the grass, and among the sedge of the marshes, and 

 even upon.sniall bog islands, as much as 50 yards from the shore. 



In summer, like other members of this genus, they are found lying in small pools 

 and in the water at the edges of the lakes during the heat of the day. They appear 

 to be a harmless, lazy species, and, as above stated, exceedingly fond of the water. 



Fig. 7(1.— Distribution of Thamnophis sirtalis coNciN>ras, as indicated by the locality 



RECORDS. 



Range. — The range of concinnus is apparently rather definitely 

 bounded on the east and west, since it ranges from the Pacific Ocean 

 to the Cascade range. Specimens which I have referred to concinnus 

 have been examined from the following localities: Portland, Eugene 

 City, Oregon; Shoalwater Bay, Fort Vancouver, Tacoma, Puget 

 Sound, Seattle, Fort Steilacoon, Olympic Mountains, Port Angelus 

 (30 miles from). Lake Washington, Washington; Comox Lake, Vic- 

 toria, British Columbia (fig. 76). 



Variation. — Judging from the available material, concinnus is 

 identical with parietalis in scutellation and proportionate tail length. 



