120 JONES ON REPTILIA OF NOVA SCOTIA. 



Cohiher sirtalis — Linn Spotted Snake, 



Tropidonotus tcenia — DeKay, p. 43, pi, xiii., fig. 27. 



" sirtalis — Holb., N. Am. Herp., vol. iv., 



Eutoenia sirtalis — Baird & Girard, N. Am. Serp., p. 30. 

 Eutcenia sirtalis — Baird, Serpents of N. York, p. 15, 

 pi. i., fig. 5. 

 This is by far the most common snake in Nova Scotia, being 

 abundant in all parts of the colony. Although conthiually observed 

 in the dryest positions in the forest, it nevertheless appears to pre- 

 fer the neighbourhood of swamps, brooks, and damp places, where 

 it leads a partially amphibious life during the hot season. The 

 largest specimens I have seen were in such places, and one which I 

 killed during the latter part of the summer of 1863, resting on a 

 log in a swampy hollow, measured two feet eight inches in extent. 

 It generally makes its appearance in the forest about the first week 

 in May, but is much more numerous some seasons than others. 

 During the months of June, July, and August, 1861, scarcely one 

 of these snakes was to be seen in my district, but in September of 

 that year they appeared in abundance. A sudden spell of cold 

 weather appears to have a great efiect upon them, as they all dis- 

 appear at once until returnuig heat bruags them forth agam. They 

 shed their skins among ground juniper (Jujiiperus communis) and 

 other shelter in June, and retire to winter quarters after the first 

 cold days of autumn. I have observed them as early as the 4th of 

 May, and as late as the 7th of October. The young, some four 

 inches long, are seen about the begmniug of September. The full 

 grown specimens may frequently be seen by the sides of brooks in 

 the forest, greatly distended with recently swallowed jsrey, the com- 

 mon toad (Bufo Americanus), probably from its sluggish habits, 

 forming their principal food. On the 1st vSeptember, 1864, I 

 witnessed the process of deglutition. A spotted snake, about twenty 

 inches long, had just seized a good sized toad by the right hind leg, 

 which it gradually drew into its maw. Then turning its head side- 

 ways, after some difficulty, it secured the foot of the left hind leg, 

 and gradually got this down, Avhen it gave a sudden shake and took 

 a firm hold of the hinder parts. Now, moving its head A^'ith the 

 jaws greatly distended, first to one side and then to the other, the 

 toad meanwhile holding with all its might by the two fore feet to 



