166 MELLISH — SERPENTS OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. 



as if the snake had crawled out of it, and sometimes apparently as 

 if burst asunder and dropped off. 



The Red Bellied Snake. 

 Storeria Occipitomaculata. B. & G. 



This variety is numerous, is smaller in size, and seems to be 

 less courageous than some of the other species. It is generally 

 found near woodpiles and old buildings. It is of a dusky brick 

 color, the belly being of a lighter shade than the back. 



I do not think the King Snake (diadolphis punctatus, B. & 

 G.) is to be found on the Island. The Green Snake (Chlorosoma 

 vernalis) so common on the continent, is entirely unknown there.* 



The Striped Snake. 

 Coluber lineatus ? Mellish. 



I have frequently seen a small snake striped with black, white 

 and dark green. This I have not been able to identify; and I 

 regard it as a new species. It is found in the grass and among 

 bushes, but not in the vicinity of dwellings. I have not seen any 

 of them as small as the smallest of the red bellied snake, nor yet 

 any as large as the largest of the garter snake and black snake. It 

 is suggested that the name Coluber lineatus be given to this species 

 provisionally, until it be more fully described. 



A gentleman who saw a snake charming a bird, told me that 

 the sight was very interesting, if one could forget the bird's fate. 

 The snake held the bird's eye, and moved forward almost imper- 

 ceptibly, the bird being motionless, with its head stretching forward 

 towards its destroyer. Stronger the attraction grew, nearer the 

 snake approached, until suddenly his red jaws closed on his prey. 



Several years ago, I saw a singular looking creature which more 

 nearly resembled a snake than anything else. It was killed in 

 harvest-time by a mower in an oat-field. It was of yellow or straw 

 color v and was about 21 inches in length, and 2J inches in circum- 



*Since this Paper was read I have learned from James L. Mellish, Esq., of Pownal, 

 P. E. I., that the chlorosoma vernalis was sometimes to be seen on the Island forty or 

 fifty years ago. 





