568 



COLUBRID^ j COMMON-SNAKE. BOIDJE. 



determination ; besides frogs, it feeds on mice, shrews, and nest- 

 ling birds ; these are swallowed whole, whilst yet alive, by the 

 peculiar mechanism of the jaws ( 473). This Snake may be 

 readily tamed, and exhibits feelings of attachment to its protector. 

 It passes the winter in a state of torpidity, retreating to some 

 sheltered situation, in which numbers often collect, for the sake 

 of preserving their warmth ; in an instance which has come 

 within the Author's knowledge, as many as 1300 were found in 

 an old limekiln. The length of this species is usually between 

 three and four feet ; in tropical countries, however, the Colubers 

 attain a much greater size. The family Colubridae includes 

 many species which habitually reside among trees ; and these 

 are, for the most part, distinguished by the brilliancy of their 

 colours, and the gracefulness of their forms and movements. 

 They are harmless and very tameable. The Tropidonoti of 

 North America, which are also of a very gentle disposition, 

 especially frequent water, in which they are described as swim- 

 ing rapidly in pursuit of Frogs and Fishes. 



507. Whilst the Colubridaa are very widely distributed, 



FIG. 329. BOA CONSTRICTOR. 



some species being found in almost every part of the world, the 



