270 



AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES. 



24. Sistrurus catenatus (Rafine^que). Mas.sauger; rattlesnake.— 

 The rattlesnake was found on Sand Point but nowhere else in the 

 sand region, although we have records from the residents that cover 

 the area from Bay Port to Hat Point. It was doubtless formerly 

 common throughout the sand region, the numerous swaiiips afTording 

 very favorable conditions. Stony Island is locally notorious for its 

 abundance of rattlesnakes, and it merits its reputation. About the 

 swamps on the island we found the rattlers almost as abundant as 

 the garter-snakes, although more difficult to capture as they fre- 

 quented the tall marsh grass, and were often able to elude capture 

 even after we had seen them. A single specimen was taken on North 

 Island where they are also said to be abundant. 



Frogs were found in the stomachs of some of the individuals taken, 

 and these probably form the bulk of the food. The remains of 

 snakes were found in two specimens; one of these was a rattlesnake, 

 the other could not be identified. The condition of the devoured 

 snakes leaves little doubt that they were eaten after having been 

 dead for a consideral^le time. 



