23 



Agkistrodon contortrix (Linn.). 

 Copperhead Snake. 



Head triangular, very distinct from neck. Eight upper 

 labials, third and fourth largest ; second forming anterior 

 border of pit; none entering orbit. Two anteoculars; loral 

 present. General coloration, light brown, with dark red- 

 dish-brown transverse blotches, which are darker at the 

 edges. These blotches are narrow dorsally, becoming 

 much wider on the side. In some specimens many of the 

 bands are very narrow on the back, and some are broken 

 dorsally, making large blotches on the sides which are 

 narrow on top and much wider below, somewhat like a V 

 with the point upwards. Head of a slightly lighter shade 

 than body, with the sides light yellowish brown, the line of 

 intersection of this color and the hazel-brown of the top, 

 beginning behind the eye and running to the angle of the 

 mouth. Body beneath, pinkish white with two rows of 

 reddish-brown blotches. Upper side and portions of under 

 side profusely sprinkled with small black spots. 



This beautiful and dangerous species is, fortunately, of 

 not common occurrence near this city. On the Palisades, 

 in the vicinity of Alpine, New Jersey, many specimens 

 were killed during the past summer (1895); they were also 

 recorded from Putnam, Westchester, and Dutchess Coun- 

 ties, New York, and in the latter county were said to be 

 quite common. The species seems to prefer the neighbor- 

 hood of thick woods, where swampy ground or a bog is 

 not far distant. Their food consists of frogs, small mam- 

 mals, and birds, but of the former they seem especially 

 fond, and probably feed largely on the Wood Frog (Rana 

 sylvatica) that is abundant in places frequented by the 

 reptile. 



A specimen in the collection of Mr. G. R. O'Reilly 

 gave birth to six young on August 9th, and another one to 

 nine young on the tenth of the same month. The young 

 have the colors lighter and the pattern more distinct than 

 the parent, and the tail, for about three-quarters of an 



