Small, Miscellaneous Smooth-scaled Serpents 



which is red or orange. Abdomen white; on the tail the 

 black markings form complete rings. 



Distribution. Texas to Arizona; northward to Utah; 

 southward into Sonora, Mexico. 



RINGED GROUND SNAKE 

 Contia occipitale, (Hallowell) 



Snout most prominent of any of the species. Scales in 15 

 rows. Tail about one-fifth the total length. 



Colouration. Milk-white, pink or yellow, with narrow black 

 rings around the body sometimes broken at the edges of the 

 abdominal plates separated by intervals of about five scales; 

 between the rings, the abdomen is white. 



A black crescent on the rear part of the head, the points 

 directed forward. 



Dimensions. Total length 12 inches. 



Distribution. Arizona. 



PACIFIC GROUND SNAKE; BROWN SNAKE 



Contia mitis, (Baird & Girard) 



Largest of the North American species, reaching a length 

 of 1 6 inches. Body rather stout; tail very short; head flat, 

 blunt at the snout and not distinct from the neck. 



Colouration. Dark chestnut-brown above, with a reddish- 

 brown band on each side of the back these bands are very ob- 

 scure on some specimens; they are situated on the fourth row 

 of scales and often margined beneath by black dots. A black 

 streak on each side of the head, from the eye to angle of the mouth. 

 Abdominal plates yellow, broadly margined with black. 



Dimensions. Following are the measurements of a small 

 adult: 



Total Length 1 1 inches. 



Length of Tail 2f 



Greatest Diameter 1 



Width of Head ^ " 



Length of Head | 



Distribution. The Pacific region, from Washington (in- 

 clusive) to California (inclusive). 



33 2 



