Hurter — Herpetology of Missouri. 213 



Size. — Total length 1080 mm.; tail 114 mm., with ten rattles. Dit- 

 mars reports the largest Timber Rattler he ever examined came from 

 Missouri. He gives the following measurements. Total length just six 

 feet(1829 mm.); 2% inches (63 mm.) in diameter at the thickest part 

 of the body. The head was proportionately very small, showing a total 

 width of 1% inches (47 mm.). The rattle had 14 uniform segments. 



Habitat, — New England to northern Florida, west to 

 eastern Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Missouri locali- 

 ties : — Once very common throughout the state but being 

 rapidly exterminated. In Illinois, St. Clair County (Fall- 

 ing Springs). 



Habits. — The Timber Eattler is mostly found on bluffs 

 and hill-sides exposed during the greater part of the day 

 to the sun. They seem to prefer large ledges composed of 

 flat rocks. 



Ditmars in his Eeptile Book gives the following ac- 

 count : — ' ' About such rugged situations large numbers of 

 rattlesnakes gather in the fall, preparatory for the 

 hibernating season. They appear to find the same places, 

 year after year, making their way from the adjoining tim- 

 ber and lesser ledges as if led by some strange, instinctive 

 power. On the main ledge, they coil sociably in great 

 clusters to enjoy the sun of ^^ Indian summer" — but only 

 for a limited number of days, when they retire into the 

 deep fissures for the winter's sleep. Such places are the 

 so-called '^ snake dens''. During the summer they are 

 mostly found in the woods and fields nearby, but it seems 

 they do not wander very far from their winter quarters. 



*^In a wild state, the Banded Eattlesnake prefers flight 

 to combat and, though rattling harshly when disturbed, 

 will generally glide away, sounding its warning note as it 

 goes. If cornered it will fight bravely, assuming a loose 

 irregular coil, and striking with such dexterity that the 

 eye can scarcely follow the movement. It strikes gener- 

 ally a third, sometimes half its length, but never springs 

 bodily as alleged by the writers of sensational snak(i 

 stories. Nor is it necessary for the snake to be coiled 

 to deal a blow. While retreating towards shelter it will 



