24. LICHANURA 637 



three deep reddish or blackish brown longitudinal bands in 

 strong contrast with the ground color. These bands extend 

 from the snout to the end of the tail. In the type specimen 

 the median dark band was about four scales wide, the two 

 lateral bands about five scales wide, and the stripe of ground 

 color between them was about three and a half scales wide. 

 The belly and lower sides are whitish, irregularly speckled 

 or blotched with dark brown. 



A living specimen was colored as follows: The head is 

 pure drab-gray with markings of seal-brown above, uniform 

 whitish below. On the body the ground color above is rich 

 drab-gray, with a slight creamy cast, separating three long- 

 itudinal stripes of very dark seal-brown. The belly and 

 sides are creamy white, irregularly dotted and blotched with 

 seal-brown. 



Length to anus 486 533 



Length of tail 96 101 



Distribution. This species apparently is confined to the 

 Cape Region of Lower California. Mr. Xantus obtained 

 the original specimens in swamps among the mountains near 

 Cape San Lucas. Mr. Belding secured an individual near 

 La Pax. Mr. F. Billa sent me one collected near San Jose 

 del Cabo. It has been collected near Santa Anita. 



Habits. The snake of this species which I had alive for 

 some time was very gentle, and rather slow in its move- 

 ments. It had the curious habit, often shown by Charina 

 and Lichanura roseofusca, of coiling itself into a compact 

 mass or ball when disturbed. 



