2572 



SCALED REPTILES 



hood of water, and are good swimmers. The food of all consists of small mammals 

 and birds. Formerly the chain snake ( Coronella getula ) of the United States, com- 

 mon in the neighborhood of New York, and attaining a length of about five feet, 

 was included in this genus, but is now referred to Coronella. The dark ground 

 color, which varies in tint from reddish brown to blackish brown and even black, 



\ 



SNAKE. 



(One-half natural size.) 



shows on the upper surface a number of yellow cross bands, which on the lower part 

 of the sides unite with similar longitudinal stripes, and thus form a regular light- 

 colored chain extending to the very tip of the tail. The shields on the top of the 

 head are deep chocolate brown, with a few yellow spots; the labial shields are dusky 

 or yellowish white, bordered with blackish brown, and the under parts dirty yellow- 

 ish white marbled with brown. 



