f 



ELAPHE 157 



The transitions in color are gradual. Anterior half of belly 

 immaculate brown-yellow, edges of ventrals having the lateral 

 body color; ventrals on latter part of belly spotted irregularly 

 with dark gray to black; tail immaculate below. 



Measurements of Elaphe erythrura (Dameril and Bibron) . 



mm. 



Total length 1,080 



Snout to vent 815 



Tail 26.5 



Length of head 30 



Width of head 17.5 



Variation. — Three other specimens from the same immediate 

 locality as the one described agree very well in scalation; the 

 ventrals range between 217 and 225; the subcaudals, from 96 

 to 100; there are 6 lower labials touching the anterior chin 

 shields. There is some inconsequent variation of the dorsal 

 coloration. 



Negros specimens are very different from the described speci- 

 men in coloration ; the entire posterior part of the body is dark 

 bluish black, and the ventrals of the posterior part of the body 

 and the subcaudals are grayish black. The scale formulae are 

 practically identical with those of the Luzon and Mindanao 

 forms; otherwise they would merit subspecific distinction. The 

 young of Negros specimens are dark browm anteriorly with nar- 

 row, transverse, lighter areas on the skin between the scales; 

 along the middle part of the body the light color forms a network ; 

 the tail is black, and the outer side of the posterior part of the 

 body is drab. 



Specimens from Luzon are uniform brown to reddish olive, 

 the edges of the scales usually slightly darker, and the tail 

 usually a lighter reddish brown ; below the belly is immaculate 

 yellowish; young Luzon specimens are a uniform brown, or are 

 traversed by numerous very narrow, dim, whitish bars, the 

 white being chiefly confined to the skin between the scales. 

 Sometimes a dim dark spot is visible below, and another behind 

 tlie eye; the inside of the throat is black. 



One Polillo specimen resembles the specimens from Negros 

 in having the posterior part of the body dark. 



Remarks. — This common species is abundant wherever found. 

 It is known from Mindanao, Luzon, Negros, Polillo, and Mindoro. 

 Boulenger " and Griflfin report the species from Palawan, but 

 I regard this as doubtful. The species is also known from 



* Boulenger's record, Ann. & Maff. Nat. Hist. VI 14 (1894) 82, very 

 probably refers to E. philippina Griffin, 



