132 THE BLACK SNAKE. 



tinge. The under parts are silver-white, boldly tesselated with oblong and sharply 

 denned marks of black. The length of the Milk Snake is generally about four feet. 



Other species belonging to the genus Coluber are found in Australia, India, Japan, 

 China, and Europe, the latter (Coluber ^sculapii} being the Serpent which is repre- 

 sented by the ancients as twined round the staff of yEsculapius and the caduceus of 

 Mercury. 



The BLACK SNAKE of America is perhaps the best known of the numerous Serpents, 

 which, happening to be black or dark brown, have been called by the same title. 



This snake is common in Northern America, where it is sometimes known under the 

 name of RACER, on account of its great speed. It is a perfectly harmless, but highly 

 irascible reptile, especially during the breeding season, when it seems to become en- 

 dowed with an unreasoning ferocity, which, happily for the world, is seldom found in 

 reptiles better provided with offensive weapons. It has a curious habit of rustling its 

 tail among the herbage in such a manner as to resemble the whirr of the dreaded rat- 



BLACK SN\KE.-Coryphodon constrictor. 



tlesnake, and then darts at the object of its rage and inflicts a tolerably severe bite, 

 thereby inducing great terror on the part of the sufferer, who, in the hurry of the 

 moment, naturally believes that he has been bitten by the rattlesnake itself. 



It is fond of climbing trees in search of young birds, eggs, and similar dainties, and, 

 even in that position, is of so tetchy a disposition, that when irritated, it will descend 

 in order to attack its foe. Even if confined with other Snakes, it becomes quarrel- 

 some, fights with them, and if possible will kill them. 



The haunts of the Black Snake are usually to be found along the edges of streams 

 and ponds or lakes, and the reptile is mostly to be seen in shady spots, well sheltered 

 by brushwood. Sometimes, however, it goes further a-field, and wanders over the free 

 country, traverses rocky soil, or glides along the roadside. It is a most useful reptile, 

 being very fond of rats, and able from its great agility to climb over walls or buildings 

 in search of its prey, and to insinuate its black length into their holes. It also feeds much 

 on birds, especially when they are young, and is consequently an object of detestation to 

 the feathered tribes. It often happens that the locality of the Black Snake is indicated 

 i y the proceedings of the little birds, which collect above their hated enemy, scold with 



