FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 



81 



The most important loss that occurred during the year was 

 our oldest specimen of the king cobra which was purchased in 

 1899, immediately after the Reptile House was ready to receive 

 the collection. The snake died of a glandular disease that was 

 detected four years ago. We had several times taken this dan- 

 gerous serpent from the cage and removed swollen glands from 

 the throat. The reptile's death was caused by the suppuration 

 of a gland too deep-seated for treatment. Fortunately, we have 

 a fine substitute for the big cobra, and this specimen — now about 

 ten feet long — occupies the cage of the original feature of our 

 series of poisonous serpents. 



The collection of local reptiles was greatly strengthened by 

 a collecting trip made by the Curator during the past summer. 

 Two weeks' work in the mountains of Sullivan County resulted in 

 the capture of about three hundred snakes. Ten species were 

 represented in the series. By this expedition twenty-four rattle- 

 snakes were added to the collection. 



Continuing his observations on the occurrence of poisonous 

 snakes in the eastern states, the curator and his assistant, 

 Charles Snyder, investigated several of the mountains in the 

 Berkshire region and noted numerous ledges where rattlesnakes 

 were abundant. This work is being carried on with a view to 

 the publication of a map showing localities where dangerous rep- 

 tiles are frequently encountered, and the many and extensive 

 areas in which they are seldom or never found. Frequent quer- 

 ies on this subject show it to be well worth investigation and 

 report. 



The census for the year is as follows : 



Species. Specimens. 



Chelonia 39 362 



Crocodilia 6 41 



Lacertilia 30 249 



Ophidia 54 363 



Amphibians 19 320 



Total 148 1,335 



SUMMARY OF COLLECTIONS 



Species, Specimens. 



Mammals 240 815 



Birds 772 3,013 



Reptiles and Amphibians 148 1,335 



Total 1,160 5,163 



Increase over 1909 44 163 



