102 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



Dorsal scales smooth, with a satin luster or slightly polished, in 

 17 rows; superior labials, 7; inferior labials, 7; ventrals, 170-250. 

 Body narrowing rather suddenly back of the anal. 



Dorsal parts slate brown to brownish or bluish black. Top of the 

 head black or greenish black, smooth and polished. Some specimens 

 with a collar of salmon yellow shading to pale yellow below, two or 

 three scales wide, outlined with black, not completely encircling the 

 body, broken in the mid-dorsal line by one to three rows of scales. 

 This collar may be completely developed as just described or may be 

 represented by but small areas of yellow, or may be entirely wanting. 

 Labials yellow, except as the black of the top of the head covers the 

 upper margins of the superior set and is continued down over those of 

 both sets at the angle of the jaw. Ventrals pale yellow just back of 

 the head, shading to bright red near the anal, bearing two irregular 

 rows of black dots on each side and occasional spots in their mesial 

 portions. Under parts of the tail bright red and without spots except 

 near the anal. Mental region pale yellow and spotted. 



Diadophis regalis is a rather active species feeding upon insects, 

 smaller snakes, and such other small creatures as it can find under 

 bark, stones, and in similar places. When cornered and disturbed it 

 has the habit of elevating and wriggling its tail. The forms closely 

 related to this species are oviparous. No observations are recorded 

 concerning the breeding habits of this species. 



The range of this snake is from the Mississippi River to Colorado 

 and Arizona; it has been taken in Illinois, although it is rare east of 

 the Mississippi. 



The Western Ring-necked Snake, Diadophis amabilis Baird and 

 Girard, may be found in Colorado. This snake, which closely 

 resembles Diadophis regalis Baird and Girard, may be recognized by 

 the number of scale rows, it having fifteen rows instead of seventeen 

 rows. 



The figures given of Diadophis regalis, No. 253, are from a speci- 

 men taken at Abilene, Kan., by Dr. H. P. Mera. 



Colorado specimen. — Stale Teachers' College Museum: Trinidad, A. E. 

 Beardsley. 



