19 



of scales. Ends of gastrosteges and first and second rows 

 of scales, brown. Under side, very pale yellow. Skin 

 along the sides, when distended, shows white lineate spots. 

 Length seldom exceeds three feet. 



This active snake frequents damp meadows and grassy 

 banks of streams, feeding on small fishes, tadpoles, frogs, 

 etc. Four captive females gave birth to young, as follows : 

 August I, five young ; August 12, three young ; August 

 17, ten young; August 26, six young. From the above, it 

 would seem that the number of young brought forth is 

 small. This is confirmed by Mr. G. R. O'Reilly, who tells 

 me that, in all his observations on this species, the num- 

 ber of young was invariably small. The young resemble 

 the parent, excepting that the ground color is of a lighter 

 shade, and also the stripes. 



Thamnophis sirtalis (Linn.). 

 Garter Snake. 



Head rather narrow, slightly wider posteriorly. Seven 

 upper labials, fifth and sixth l'argest. One preocular and 

 three postoculars. Body moderately stout, with a greenish 

 yellow dorsal stripe occupying median row of scales and 

 a half row on each side. Lateral stripe on second and 

 third rows of scales, less distinct than dorsal stripe and 

 generally darker. Ground color, generally dark brown, 

 showing two rows of dark quadrate spots arranged in tes- 

 sellate fashion. Head above of same color as body, with 

 the labials greenish yellow, some of the posterior ones 

 edged with black. Under side, greenish yellow, with a 

 black spot on the anterior edges of gastrosteges near the 

 ends. Skin along the sides showing white lineate spots, 

 when distended. Length, from two to three feet. 



This species presents great variation, two specimens 

 seldom being exactly alike. The ground color varies from 

 brown to red and green. The stripes on many specimens 

 are very indistinct and often entirely wanting. One dis- 

 tinct variety occurs. 



