NATURAL HISTORY, TORONTO REGION 
fish and frogs; viviparous, and very prolific, some- 
times producing forty young at a time. 
Grass Snake, Liopeltis vernalis, Jan. Fairly 
common, and well worth protecting, for its beauty, as 
well as for its usefulness. Feeds largely on cater- 
pillars. 
Ring-necked Snake, Diadophis punctatus, Baird 
& Gir. Rather rare; said to feed largely on insects. 
Milk Snake, Ophibolus doliatus, Baird & Gir. 
Fairly common, especially on the west side of the 
city; feeds largely on field mice and voles, which it 
crushes to death between the folds of the body; in 
captivity they will sometimes eat smaller snakes 
that are kept with them, and they have a curious 
habit of vibrating the tip of the tail when they are 
excited, just as a rattlesnake does. 
Hog-nosed Snake, or Blowing Adder, Heterodon 
platyrhinus, Latreille. Used to be fairly common 
at High Park, but is rarer now; feeds on frogs and 
toads, but seems to prefer the toads. When annoyed 
it hisses and spreads the skin of the head and neck 
in a very threatening way, but it is not at all ven- 
omous; and, in captivity, soon becomes quite tame. 
Order TESTUDINATA. 
Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina, Schw. A 
large and voracious reptile; quite common at the 
Island. They are credited with the destruction of 
many young ducks and other waterfowl. In cap- 
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