74 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOGIBIN: 
The Black-banded Water Snake (Natrix taxispilota), the Cop- 
per-bellied Water Snake (Natrixv fasciata erythrogaster), and the 
Red-banded Water Snake (Natrix fasciata) were among the 
captures. Most interesting of these species was the Natrix 
taxispilota. In collecting this snake, we were surprised to note 
the similarity in movement and aspect to the peculiar oriental 
water snakes (Homalopsine) which frequent the rivers of the 
East Indies. The long head, widening suddenly at the base; the 
small, protruding eyes, situated in close proximity to the snout, 
and the habit of floating in a perpendicular position or resting 
in shallow water with the tail twisted about some aquatic plant, 
strongly suggest the characteristics of the aquatic opisthoglyphs. 
All through this district the fallen trees were frequented by 
several species of lizards. Brilliant examples of the Blue-tailed 
Lizards (Eumeces fasciatus), associated with the peculiar variety 
known scientifically as erythrocephalus, were seen on all sides, but 
in every instance eluded capture. Numerous devices were em- 
ployed with the hope of capturing the larger specimens, but they 
proved equally shy of noose, net, and the most delicate of baited 
hooks. The Swift (Sceloporus undulatus), although generally 
darting away with lightning-like rapidity when alarmed, would 
stop within fifteen or twenty feet and glance back wonderingly at 
the cause of its fright. By approaching the reptile slowly with 
outstretched hand, and persistently following its darts and gyra- 
tions, the collector often succeeded in bringing his hand down 
quickly over the creature, although in many an instance, a rapidly 
wriggling tail was all that remained as a reward for perspiring 
efforts. One of the most elusive of these creatures was the Six- 
lined Lizard (Cnemidophorus sexlineatus). These wonderfully 
active creatures skimmed over the sandy soil, or darted into holes 
with an agility simply bewildering. A number of examples were 
captured. In chasing an especially beautiful specimen across a 
cotton-field, and into an isolated growth of brush, the writer sud- 
denly discovered, while peering through the vegetation for the 
reptile, that a large Rat Snake was glaring at him with hostile 
mien, but a few inches from his face. This handsome creature 
(Coluber guttatus), measured over five feet in length. 
It was late in the afternoon when we returned from the first 
day’s hunt. The heat was intense, and men and horses were all 
very tired. 
