192 NEW YORK ZOOL@GICNE Ss ©Cininy: 
NEW WORLD ALLIES OF THE COBRAS. 
The single Genus Elaps represents the Subfamily Elapinae 
in the New World. About 26 species are recognized. Two 
occur in) the southern) United States. ~ The others are ydis- 
tributed throughout Mexico, Central America and tropical South 
America. 
After dealing with the habits of such interesting and formidable 
serpents as the Cobras, it is appropriate to record the observations 
made in the Reptile House on these New World allies. The 
Coral Snakes are not so highly organized as the Cobras—in fact, 
they are rather addicted to a burrowing existence. They are 
cylindrical in form, with small, blunt heads. They are vividly 
marked with red, black and yellow, disposed in rings, and. are 
thus easily recognized, although various harmless snakes evince 
striking similarities of pattern. 
Despite certain emphatic assertions to the contrary, the Coral 
Snakes are highly venomous. In proportion to the size of the 
reptiles, their fangs and poison are capable of inflicting damage 
almost on a par with their Old World allies. Few of the Coral 
Snakes attain a maximum length of more than three and one- 
half feet. 
Three species of these serpents have been on exhibition in the 
Reptile House, namely: the Harlequin Snake (Elaps fulvius), 
of the southeastern United States and Mexico, the Sonoran Coral 
Snake (E. euryxanthus), and the South American Coral Snake 
(E. corallinus). Of the first-named species, several hundred 
specimens have, from time to time, been under the writer’s obser- 
vation; and of the second rare species but one specimen was pro- 
cured. The last species noted ranges over an extensive area in 
tropical South America, and is found in several islands of the 
Lesser Antilles. Numerous specimens of this snake have been 
received from the island of Trinidad. 
As the habits of the different species of Elaps observed were 
found to be very similar, the writer will place them under one 
general heading. 
Habits—The snakes of the Genus Elaps rank rather low in 
mental powers. Their movements are erratic. They appear 
mentally stupified by captivity. Their prevailing idea is to hide, 
to avoid the light and observation, and this they do if there be 
any facilities for burrowing or coiling beneath some object. 
Once secreted, all ideas of food and sensations of appetite appear 
to vanish from the majority of captive specimens. The proper 
