12 CHECK LIST OF TIIK 



GENUS THAMNOPHIS. (GARTER SNAKES.) 



(3) Thamnophis sauritus. 



(Riband Snake.) 



Not very common, apparently occurring more frequently in the east- 

 ern part of the Province than in the west. A very beautiful, harmless 

 creature. Feeds upon insects, small toads and frogs. 



(4) Thamnophis radix. 



(Hoy's Garter Snake.) 



Occurs in western Ontario and may be generally distributed, though 

 not abundant anywhere. Harmless. Feeds upon toads, frogs, insects and 

 field mice. 



(5) Thamnophis sirtalis. 



(Common Garter Snake.) 



Abundant and generally distributed. This is considered the typical 

 Garter Snake. It is an exceedingly variable species, scarcely any two 

 being exactly alike in coloration.- 



When molested I have sometimes seen this snake show fight, but it 

 is incapable of inflicting any injury more serious than a slight scratch, 

 from which no bad results need be feared. Its food consists of toads, 

 frogs, mice and insects. 



Formerly a great many varieties or sub-species of this species were 

 recognized ; of late, however, the number has been considerably reduced. 

 The most prominent varieties occurring here are : 



(53) T. s. odinatus Tolerably common. 



(5b) T. s. dorsalis Very common. 



(5c) T. s. parietalis Not common. 



(5d) T. s. obscurus Occasional. 



As all these intergrade perfectly with each other and with the type 

 form, their identification is sometimes rather difficult. 



GENUS REGINA. 



<*) (6) Regina rigida. 



(Stiff Snake.) 

 Very rare ; the only available record is from Lake St. Clair. 



(?) Hegina leberis. 



(Leather Snake.) 

 Occurs in the same locality as the last, but is even more uncommon. 



