1893.] LITTLE-KNO>TN' EUEOPEAN VIPER. 599 



spine and is relieved by the pale olive-grey or yellowish colour of 

 the dorsal area ; the sides are darker, brown, with longitudinal 

 series of small dark brown spots ; bead with the usual black 

 markings ; lips uniform yellowish ; lower parts black, spotted with 

 white, or grey, spotted or chequered with black and white ; tail 

 but rarely tipped with yellow; throat yellowish white in both 

 sexes. 



Herr L. von Kirchroth, of Modling, who has collected large 

 numbers of this Viper, kindly supplies me with the following 

 information respecting its occurrence near A'ienna : — 



This Yiper is distributed from Laxenburg westwards as far 

 as the eastern slope of the Anninger Hills, southwards as far 

 as Traiskirchen and Tribuswinkel. Its chief habitat is in the 

 immediate vicinity of Laxenburg, where it is found in extraor- 

 dinary numbers. The intendant of the Imperial Castle pays a 

 premium for the destruction of Vipers, and in the course of last 

 year more than 1000 specimens were brought to him. These 

 snakes are found principally, though not exclusively, in the marshy 

 meadows aroui;d the park ; but few occur in the park itself. They 

 feed chiefly on Lacerta af/ilis and also on mice. The largest male 

 examined by Herr v. Kirchroth measui'ed 410 millim., the largest 

 female 450. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE LI. 

 Vipera ursinii, female, with enlarged upper and side views of head. 



