104 



SERPENTS 



BANDED RATTLESNAKE. (YELLOW PHASE.) 



all, but of a very light 

 color, as becomes a 

 serpent of the arid 

 regions. 



In captivity the 

 Diamond Rattler is, 

 like all members of its 

 genus, a timid and 

 erratic feeder. Unless 

 all conditions are entirely to its liking perfect quietness, choice 

 food and no one looking, it will not swallow a morsel. When 

 its views on the subject of food and service have been fully 

 met, it will partake of a young rabbit, a rat or a guinea-pig. 

 THE TIMBER, or BANDED, RATTLESNAKE 1 of the eastern 

 United States shows a wide range in color, varying from a 

 handsome sulphur yellow to brown, and finally to almost 

 black. Young specimens are always lighter in color than old 

 ones. One of the popular names of this creature is derived 

 from the broad bands 

 of brown color which 

 encircle the light- 

 colored specimens. 

 Often the hinder half 

 of an adult or old 

 specimen has a black- 

 velvet appearance. 

 The length of a large 

 specimen is 4J^ feet. 



1 Cro'ta-lus hor'ri-du3. BANDED RATTLESNAKE. (DARK PHASE.) 



