52 GLEANINGS FROM NATURE. 



The diamond water snake reaches a larger size than 

 the common water snake, and the two are often con- 

 founded by observers. Its habits are essentially the 

 same as in that species. Both strike viciously when 

 disturbed, and exhale a very disagreeable odor when 

 handled, this being, probably, their most efficient 

 means of defense. 



The third species of water snake found in the State 



is the queen or leather snake, Regina leberis (L.), a 



much smaller and more slender reptile than either of 



the last two, seldom exceeding two feet in length. 



Its scales are keeled and occupy 19 



g t* er rows, while its color is olive brown 



with three. narrow black stripes on the 



back and a yellowish band along the side. Beneath, 



it is yellowish with two brown bands which lie close 



together and reach from the head to the tail. 



Along the rapid flowing streams of central Indiana 

 this is a very common snake, and it probably occurs 

 throughout the State. It frequents, for the most part, 

 shallow running water, gliding gracefully among the 

 stems of the water willow, Dianthera americana L., 

 and other aquatic plants; and, when pursued, taking 

 refuge beneath some flat stone, or the piles of drift- 

 wood along the shore. It is never, as far as my 

 observation goes, found at any distance from water, 

 and its food consists mainly of small "peeper" frogs, 

 young toads and minnows. 



Group II. Black Snakes. 



To this group belong four species of our largest 

 snakes. The ground color of each of them is black, 



