REPTILIA. 



123 



Dr. Fisher. Red Squirrels [Sciunis Iliidsojiiiis) were common, but 

 the Gray Squirrel {Sciunis Car'olincnsis) was not observed. In- 

 quiry elicited the information that it sparingly occurred on the moun- 

 tains about the Big Indian Valley, and never in the black form, 

 which, however, was common in an adjoining town. Bears were 

 said to be common, and indications of their presence in "scratched 

 trees " and torn ground were not infrequent. 



A marked negative character in the Fauna and one bearing out its 

 Canadian affinity is the scarcity of the Testiidinata. In the case of 

 certain aquatic turtles this is of course coincident with the scarcity of 

 localities suited to their habits, but with the terrestrial species is 

 undoubtedly the result of faunal restrictions. None, indeed, of the 

 terrestrial forms were observed, nor could I learn of their presence, 

 so that though the occurrence of at least one species is probable it 

 certainly cannot be common. 



Except in the case of a single species, a scarcity of OpJiidia was 

 also noticeable, and three serpents only were observed : the Striped 

 Snake [Eutcsnia sirtalis), the Ring-necked Snake [Diadopkis piinc- 

 tat7is\ and the Milk Snake [Ophibolus doliatiis triang^ihis), and evi- 

 dence gathered of the occurrence of one other. The former was the 

 common serpent of the region and showed the impress of an envi- 

 ronment diverse from that which dominates the species in the Lower 

 Hudson Valley, in differences from the typical form there found which 

 doubtless constitute the variety ordinata. Individuals, seen but not 

 secured, at the highest altitudes at which the species was observed — 

 about 3,000 feet — appeared to typically represent this race and were 

 strikingly different from the striped forms, but others, captured in 

 the valley, were less completely differentiated. A specimen of the 

 Ring-necked Snake was found dead on June 12, 1880, containing five 

 ova measuring .90 inches by .25-.30. This individual was of large 

 size for the species, measuring eighteen and one-eighth inches in 

 length. The residents were well acquainted with a " bright green " 

 snake, without question Liopeltis. It was a common belief among 



