B42 
in the stomach of the water-shnake; among them we may Mention suckers 
of yarious species, various minnows, bass, rock-bass, sunfish, eel, carp 
and catfish. One large water-snake was found that had attempted to 
swallow a large catfish but the catfish straightened out and set its pectoral 
spines, and the snake, being unable to get the fish either up or down, 
perished, a victim of his own greed. 
Besides fish the water-shake feeds also on frogs, crawfish and young 
birds. 
The water-snakes mate early in spring, soon after coming out of their 
winter quarters, and then sometimes congregate in numbers of four or five 
together. The species is vivaparous. In August, 1899, an old snake was 
found on the railroad track near the ice-houses. It had been run over by 
a train and ten young, which it contained, were prematurely liberated. 
The water-snake probably comes out and basks on bright days in 
autumn after it has ceased taking food. One found dead near Farrar’s 
in the autumn of 1806, October 20, was cut open and the stomach found 
to be empty, except for some ascarid-like parasites. The mesenteries were 
well loaded with a supply of fat, probably for the subsistence of the snake 
during its winter hibernation. It contained 30 ova, 15 on each side. 
Color, brownish; back and sides each with a series of large, square, 
dark blotches alternating with each other, about SO in each series; belly 
with brown blotches; rows of scales 25: ventral plates 180 to 150. Length 
2 to 4 feet. 
6. Callopeltis vulpinus (Baird & Girard). 
FOX SNAKE, 
This large and beautiful snake ranges from New Hnugland westward 
to Kansas and northward. It does not appear to be common about Lake 
Maxinkuckee, as our notes record but eight examples, as follows: A fine 
example on the west shore of Lost Lake early in July, 1900, and another 
large one near the same place July 8; one seen near Lost Lake, September 
» 
3, and a large one gotten on Long Point September 25; one in Walley’s 
woods August 25; another on Long Point September 25; one about 6 feet 
long August 14, 1906, west of Culver near the beaver-dam prairie on the 
road to Bass Lake; and a large one near the Gravel Pit early in June, 
1807. Individuals seem most frequent in late summer or early fall. 
The fox snake, often called the pine snake, frequents the dry, open 
woods and the neighborhood of briar patches and copses. We have never 
