40. THAMNOPHIS 823 



line usually is wider than in T. o. elegans and there often 

 is more or less red in the coloration, which, so far as we 

 know, is not the case in the mountain snakes. 



T. 0. atratus differs from T. o. ordinoides in being of 

 larger size and in usually having a greater number of upper 

 and lower labials, scale-rows, and gastrosteges. The colora- 

 tion also is different, although a wide range in pattern and 

 shade is to be seen in both subspecies, and both often show 

 some red coloring. 



As regards scale characters, T. o. atratus may be con- 

 sidered intermediate between T. o. ordinoides and T. o. 

 elegans. 



The two specimens from Siskiyou, Jackson County, Ore- 

 gon, and two others from Anderson, Shasta County, Cali- 

 fornia, probably might best be regarded as showing inter- 

 gradation between this coast form and the T. a. elegans of 

 the Sierra Nevada, since they all have 21 rows of scales 

 and somewhat intermediate coloration. The material is 

 inadequate to make this conclusion a positive one, but it is 

 in this region that one would expect to find these subspecies 

 merging. 



Certain specimens from Coos County, Oregon, seem 

 to show intergradation between this subspecies and T. ordi- 

 noides biscutatus. Others from Requa and Crescent City 

 in Del Norte County, California, are intermediate between 

 T. ordinoides ordinoides and T. ordinoides atratus. 



Habits. — This small snake usually is found near water 

 but seldom in it. On cool days it may be discovered under 

 stones or wood. It is unobtrusive and, aside from its malo- 

 dorous excretion, quite inoffensive. As in other members 

 of the genus, the young are born fully developed. Their 

 number varies greatly in different broods. The food of 

 this subspecies probably consists in the main of small frogs, 

 toads, fish, tadpoles, slugs, small mammals, and an occa- 



