342 



in the stomach of the water-suake ; among them we may mention suckers 

 of various species, various minnows, bass, rock-bass, sunfish, eel, carp 

 and catfish. One large water-snake was found that had attempted to 

 swallow a large catfish but the catfish straightened out and set its pectoral 

 spines, and the snake, being unable to get the fish either up or down, 

 perished, a victim of his own greed. 



Besides fish the water-snake feeds also on frogs, crawfish and young 

 birds. 



The water-snakes mate early in spring, soon after coming out of their 

 winter quarters, and then sometimes congregate in numbers of four or five 

 together. The species is vivaparous. In August, 1899, an old snake was 

 found on the railroad track near tbe ice-houses. It had been run over by 

 a train and ten young, which it contained, were prematurely liberated. 



The water-snake probably comes out and basks on bright days in 

 autumn after it has ceased taking food. One found dead near Farrar's 

 in the autumn of 1906, October 20, was cut open and the stomach found 

 to be empty, except for some ascarid-like parasites. Tbe mesenteries were 

 well leaded with a supply of fat, probably for the subsistence of the snake 

 during its winter hibernation. It contained 30 ova, 15 on each side. 



Color, brownish ; back and sides each with a series of large, square, 

 dark blotches alternating with each other, about SO in each series ; belly 

 with brown blotches ; rows of scales 23 ; ventral plates 130 to 150. Length 

 2 to 4 feet. 



6. Callopeltis vulpinus (Baird & Girard). 



FOX SNAKE. 



This large and beautiful snake ranges from New England westward 

 to Kansas and northward. It does not appear to be common about Lake 

 Maxinkuckee, as our notes record but eight examples, as follows : A tine 

 example on the west shore of Lost Lake early in July, 1900, and another 

 large one near the same place July 8 ; one seen near Lost Lake, September 

 3, and a large one gotten on Long Point September 25 ; one in Walley's 

 woods August 25 ; another on Long Point September 25 ; one about feet 

 long August 14, 1900, west of Culver near the beaver-dam prairie on the 

 road to Bass Lake ; and a large one near the Gravel Pit early in June, 

 1907. Individuals seem most frequent in late summer or early fall. 



The fox snake, often called the pine snake, frequents the dry, open 

 woods and the neighborhood of briar patches and copses. We have never 



