i6 



median rows which are less distinct. Length, thirteen 

 inches seven lines. 



Another specimen, fourteen months old, is very dark 

 gray, but still shows the dorsal blotches, which are, how- 

 ever, black. Under side light gray, with the rows of spots 

 showing distinctly. Chin and throat milky white. Length, 

 twenty-six inches. 



It would seem from the preceding, that the young take 

 considerably over a year to acquire the intense black of the 

 parent. The species is found in all the neighboring coun- 

 try, but is more frequently seen along the Hudson River 

 Valley. The food consists of mice, birds, frogs, and other 

 snakes, such as Thamnophis sir talis and T. saurita, which 

 fall easy victims to their larger and more powerful enemy. 

 Contrary to the name, the species is not a constrictor, but 

 holds its prey to the ground under a portion of the body, 

 deglutition proceeding at the same time.* 



Coluber Linn. 



Head distinct from the neck. Two nasal plates ; one 

 preocular ; loral present. Body of moderate thickness, flat- 

 tened on the abdomen. Dorsal scales generally carinated. 

 Anal plate and subcaudal scuta divided. 



The species are large and powerful snakes, killing their 

 prey by constriction before swallowing. They are bene- 

 ficial in destroying small, injurious mammals, such as rats 

 and mice, upon which they largely feed. Two species are 

 recorded from the State, but only one is found in this 

 vicinity. 



Coluber obsoletus Say. 

 Pilot Black Snake. 



Head gradually broadening posteriorly, flattened. Eight 

 supralabials, seventh largest ; two postoculars. Vertical 

 plate nearly as broad as long. Dorsal scales weakly cari- 

 nated ; laterally the carinas are very indistinct. Above 



* For this information I am indebted to Mr. G. R. O'Reilly, who has 

 made a special study of the species. 



