378 



NEW TOEK STATE MUSEUM 



where, he says, the " species " was common. The water snake 

 appears to be common throughout the state in ponds and streams, 

 though rarely found away from their immediate vicinity. It is a 

 particularly bad tempered species, but its bite is, of course, perfectly 

 harmless. In its coloration and general form it bears some resem- 

 blance to the poisonous "moccasin" (Ancistrodon piscivo- 

 r u s) of the southern states, with which it is frequently confused. 

 Its resemblance to the copperhead (Ancistrodon contortrix) 

 (p. 385) is much less close. 



"One of our largest, handsomest and most abundant snakes." 

 Mearns. '98, p. 326 



" Abundant in all the counties of southeastern New York." 

 I^ckel. 1901, p. 152 



" Abundant near Ithaca ; common at Hornellsville." Eeed. 1901 

 " Often seen along the banks of the Hackensack and other streams 

 in Rockland county, but not so common as the black snake." Wal- 

 lace. 1901 



13 Natrix rigida (Say) 

 Stiff snaJce 

 I ( De Kay. Tropidonotus rigidus 



Jordan. Regina rigida 

 Scales carinated, in 19 rows. Muzzle short. Upper surface of 



head flat. Above greenish 

 brown, with two deep brown 

 dorsal stripes; abdomen red- 

 dish yellow, with two series of 

 deep brown to black spots. 

 Length 24 inches. 



Cope (1900, p. 959) mentions 

 that this species ranges north 

 to Pennsylvania. 



Fig. 14 Natrix rigida 



14 Natrix leberis (Linn.) 

 Leather snoihe 

 De Kay. Tropidonotus leberis 

 Jordan. Regina leberis 

 Head small ; little distinct from body ; depressed and flattened." 

 Scales carinated, in 19 rows. 



