140 the Zoologist* 



or four near Trebarried a few years since, but, after flushing them 

 once, failed to rise them a second time ; and Sir J. Bailey also 

 has kindly sent me word that once he shot two brace of Quail at 

 or near Glenusk Park. Mr. Williams tells me that they were 

 more plentiful here during the Franco-Prussian War than in any 

 other season, and suggests that the constant firing which occurred 

 at that time in France drove them over; he then killed several 

 brace. Last year, I am informed, a brace of Quail nested near 

 Bolgoed, Brecon, but did not hatch, in consequence, I imagine, of 

 their being disturbed. I believe my friend Major Morgan, of 

 Bolgoed, has one of the eggs. From the above, it will be seen 

 that they are still somewhat uncommon with us. 



(To be continued.) 



SNAKES VENOMOUS AND NON-VENOMOUS. 

 By Arthur Stradling, C.M.Z.S. 



" How can one tell a snake which is poisonous from one which 

 is harmless ? " is a question often asked by people who, on being 

 censured for killing an innocuous reptile, aver that through a lack 

 of knowing one kind from the other they have destroyed it, lest it 

 might have proved dangerous. 



It is to be feared that no general rule can be laid down 

 whereby a snake's nature may be ascertained from its external 

 characteristics, except, of course, those which lead to the 

 recognition of the individual species, which would imply a 

 considerable amount of familiarity with them. This is to be 

 deplored, since there is no creature more absolutel}' inoffensive 

 than a non-poisonous snake ; even the huge constrictors very 

 rarely meddle with human affairs, or molest man and his 

 belongings; while the smaller genera do positive and appreciable 

 service to him. Our common English Ringed Snake is a great 

 devourer of slugs, which it will eat at all times in preference to 

 frogs; and — in captivity, at any rate — will take earthworms, 

 caterpillars, and snails. In this country, whex-e we have practi- 

 cally but two Ophidians, there is no need of any universal 

 principles of distinction, since the difference between the two 

 reptiles is so broad ; the strongly-marked black and yellow collar 

 should alone be enough to distinguish the harmless Ringed Snake 



