The Brown Snakes 



The Genus Haldea: But one species constitutes this genus. 

 It is abundant in the southeastern United States. From its 

 diminutive size, strongly keeled scales and colouration, it looks 

 much like the two preceding species, but the head is more pointed, 

 and the eyes much smaller. 



THE GROUND SNAKE OR BROWN SNAKE; WORM SNAKE 



Haldea striatula, (Linn.) 



Very small, and moderately slender. Although moderately 

 distinct from the neck, the head is very narrow and pointed, 

 with minute, bead-like eyes. 



Colouration. Uniform grayish-brown or reddish-brown above; 

 yellowish-white beneath. There is a pale, indistinct band across 

 the top of the head. 



Dimensions. The measurements are given of an adult, 

 female specimen, from Raleigh, North Carolina: 



Total Length 1 1 inches. 



Length of Tail if " 



Diameter of Body J " 



Width of Head.. J " 



Length of Head ^ " 



Distribution. This species is widely distributed and gen- 

 erally abundant. In the East it occurs from central Virginia 

 to Florida; in the Central States it is found as far north as Minne- 

 sota, thence it extends southward into Texas. 



Habits. During a collecting trip in South Carolina, this 

 small reptile was found to be abundant in wooded districts 

 where the soil was damp. It was discovered under the bark of 

 fallen trees. During three weeks' hunting, not a specimen was 

 seen prowling, a condition pointing to a secretive or burrowing 

 existence; it possibly ventures from the hiding places at night. 

 The food appears to consist of earthworms, the soft-bodied grubs 

 of the wood-boring beetles and possibly the little ground lizard 

 (Lygosomd) . 



In proportion to its small body, the tongue of this snake 

 is very long and when thrown out to its greatest extent and 

 rapidly vibrated, actually imparts a distinct, vibratory move- 

 ment to the reptile's head and neck. None of the specimens 



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