268 



AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES. 



Specimens were taken on Stony Island and Sand Point, and at Rush 

 Lake. They were mostly found in the decaying logs on the fossil 

 beaches and pine ridges, where they fed, in part at least, on the 

 Michigan mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus hairdii) and blue-tailed 

 skink (Eumeces quinquilineatus) , as remains of these animals were 

 found in the stomachs examined. 



20. Thamnophis sirtalis (Linnaeus). Garter-snake. — It is hardly 

 necessary to state that T. sirtalis occurred everywhere in the region 

 studied, being more abundant in open swamp}' situations than else- 

 where. Specimens were taken on North Island, Stony Island, and 

 at various places in the sand region, between Sand Point and Hat 

 Point. 



21. Thamnophis butleri (Cope). Butler's garter-snake. — In his 

 monograph of the genus (1908, 92) the writer stated that, owing to 

 the abundance of this species in the localities representing the known 

 northern Umit in the state (Oakland County), this snake would prob- 

 ably be found to extend considerably farther north. This was con- 

 firmed by its discovery in Huron County. Three specimens were 

 secured by the expedition, two on Stony Island and one in the clay 

 country south of Rush Lake, none being found in the sand region. 

 It is evidently very rare, if present at all, in the sand region. Whether 

 or not it is abundant in the clay country remains to be discovered, 

 as we co\ild not investigate this region in detail. 



This species seems to feed less upon frogs than do its relatives T. 

 sirtalis and T. sauritus, which is not surprising in view of its small 

 mouth. One specimen taken in a marsh on Stony Island had re- 

 cently eaten an earthworm, and another taken under a stone on the 

 shore of Stons' Island had eaten a number of leeches. 



