NATURAL HISTORY, TORONTO REGION 



fish and frogs; viviparous, and very prolific, some- 

 times producing forty young at a time. 



Grass Snake, Liopeltis vernalis, Jan. Fairly 

 common, and well worth protecting, for its beauty, as 

 well as for its usefulness. Feeds largely on cater- 

 pillars. 



Ring-necked Snake, Diadophis punctatus, Baird 

 & Gir. Rather rare ; said to feed largely on insects. 



Milk Snake, Ophibolus doliatus, Baird & Gir. 

 Fairly common, especially on the west side of the 

 city; feeds largely on field mice and voles, which it 

 crushes to death between the folds of the body; in 

 captivity they will sometimes eat smaller snakes 

 that are kept with them, and they have a curious 

 habit of vibrating the tip of the tail when they are 

 excited, just as a rattlesnake does. 



Hog-nosed Snake, or Blowing Adder, Heterodon 

 platyrhinus, Latreille. Used to be fairly common 

 at High Park, but is rarer now; feeds on frogs and 

 toads, but seems to prefer the toads. When annoyed 

 it hisses and spreads the skin of the head and neck 

 in a very threatening way, but it is not at all ven- 

 omous ; and, in captivity, soon becomes quite tame. 



Order TESTUDINATA. 



Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina, Schw. A 



large and voracious reptile; quite common at the 



Island. They are credited with the destruction of 



many young ducks and other waterfowl. In cap- 



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