13: 



THE MILK SNAKE, OR HOUSE SNAKE. 



The Chicken Snake {Coluber quadrivittatus) derives its name from its habit of 

 entering farms and houses and stealing chickens from the roost. As, however, it feeds 

 largely on rats and mice, its services in this respect may in all probability counter- 

 balance the loss caused by its thefts. Like the corn-Snake, it is soon tamed, and will 

 become very familiar. In color it is a very delicate looking reptile, being of a soft bright 

 golden-brown, and having four narrow stripes upon a rich dark brown running the whole 

 length of the body. In length it is usually about four feet six inches, though a few- 

 specimens attain the length of six and even seven feet. This is also a Northern American 

 reptile. 





CHICKEN SNAKE. -Coluber guadrivillatus. 



Say's Snake is a most attractive creature, having a bluish-black body, with round milk- 

 white spots, thickly bespattered over the entire upper surface. It measures from three to 

 four feet in length. 



Its habitat is throughout the Gulf States. 



The Milk Snake, or House Snake [OpMbolus triangulus), is common in many parts 

 of North America, and has derived its popular names from its habit of entering houses and 

 its fondness for milk, which some persons fancy it obtains from the cows. Its general 

 food consists of mice and insects, and. like the preceding species, it is probably of some 

 use to the farm where it takes up its residence, and worthy of the encouragement which 

 it sometimes receives. 



In the genera] arrangement of the markings, it is not unlike the corn-Snake, with 

 which it has often been confounded, especially after the fresh beauty of its colors has 

 been dimmed by death, or extracted and changed by spirits. There are similar rows of 

 patches along the sides, but in this species the spots are much broader, often coalescing 

 over the back and forming bands, and the general hue of the body is a beautiful blue 

 tinge. The under parts are silver-white, boldly tesselated with oblong and sharply defined 

 marks of black. 



The length of the Milk Snake is generally about four feet. It inhabits as far north 

 as Maine. In Massachusetts it is called Checkered Adder; in New York it is Sachem Snake 

 and Sand King, and Spotted Adder. In Arkansas and Georgia two species are found, 

 respectively. 



