REPTILIA— BLACK SN A KE.. .RATTLE SNAKE. 703 



jaw, ia two rows. The whole species is perfectly inoffensive, taking shelter 

 in dunghills, and among bushes in moist places; whence they seldom 



remove, unless in the midst of the day, in summer, when they are invited 

 out by the heat, to bask themselves in the sun. 



This snake preys upon frogs, insects, worms, mice, and young birds. 



THE BLACK SNAKE 



Of the United States, which is larger than the above, and generally grows 

 to six feet long, takes a prey proportionable to its size — squirrels and 

 small birds. It is sometimes found in the neighborhood of the hen-roost, 

 and will devour the eggs, even while the hen is sitting upon them. But its 

 usual haunts are meadows and dry thickets. It may be often seen among 

 whortleberry bushes, waiting to make a prey of the birds that are hopping 

 among them. Its color is a glossy black, sometimes tinged with blue. It 

 seizes its prey with great quickness, and kills it by coiling round the body, 

 in the manner of the boa constrictor. 



THE RATTLE SNAKEi 



Is found in North and South America, and in no part of the old world. 

 Some are as thick as a man's arm, and six feet in length ; but the most 

 usual size is from four to five feet long. In most particulars it resembles 

 the viper; it differs, however, in having a large scale, which hangs like a 

 penthouse over each eye. They are of an orange tawny, and blackish color 

 on the back; and of an ash color on the belly, inclining to lead. The male 

 may be readily distinguished from the female, by a black velvet spot on the 



1 Crofaius horridus, Lin. The genus Croinivs has the head hroad, triangular, and 

 flattened; scales carinated ; tongue forked ; a hollow behind the nostrils ; uppcrmaxillary 

 bones with isolated fangs ; plates, or transverse hands under the body and tail ; extremity 

 of the tail with a rattle, formed of hollow, moveable and sonorous plates. 



59* 



