862 13. COLUBRIDJE 



each space between the bands having a large, oval, trans- 

 verse spot of bright reddish orange. The head was green- 

 ish blue above with a median reddish orange stripe on the 

 edges of the internasals and prefrontals. 



Length to anus 122 225 225 229 268 280 314- 



Length of tail 25 43 60 56 65 74- 61 



Distribution. This beautiful little snake was originally 

 described from a specimen secured in the Mohave Desert. 

 A few years later it was recorded from the Colorado Desert. 

 In more recent years it has been collected, in California, in 

 San Diego (La Puerta Valley and Carrizo Creek), Imperial 

 (Calexico, Holtville, Meloland, Imperial, Pilot Knob), 

 Riverside (Blythe Junction, grass fields between Blythe and 

 Mecca), San Bernardino (Barstow), and Inyo (Owens 

 Lake), counties. 



In Arizona it has been collected at Camp Mohave, Mo- 

 have County, and Yuma and Chrystoval, Yuma County. 



Habits. Several specimens have been dug out from 

 about one or two feet below the surface of desert sand dunes. 

 This fact and the shape of the snout indicate burrowing 

 habits. Beyond this nothing is known. It seems remark- 

 able that a species which seems to spend its life underground 

 should be so beautifully colored. 



Mr. Cowles notes a specimen found "traveling out in 

 the open and in the heat of the noon sun, April 3, 1920. It 

 was found on a gravel wash and when approached it struck 

 in all directions, though apparently it did not open its mouth 

 upon striking the hand. It appeared to be blinded by the 

 sun and unable to tell from which direction it was menaced." 



