42 



with other species, such as the copperhead or the hog-nosed 

 snake, both of which are known locally as the pilot snake, or 

 with the black snake, which it resembles in color. This snake 

 grows from about 50 to 75 inches in length and is lustrous 

 black above with some of the scales white-edged. It is lighter 

 but still blackish below. Its ventral plates number about 235, 

 and it is not venomous. It is found from Massachusetts to 



Diagram showing the percentages of food items of pilot snake (CaUopeltis obsoletus) found during 

 the months of June and July only: 46 per cent birds; 16K per cent mice; 12H per cent in- 

 sects; 8^ per cent unidentified mammals; 4 per cent weasels; 4 per cent birds' eggs. (After 

 Surface.) 



Illinois and Texas, and south through the middle States. It 

 is one of the largest black snakes, climbs trees rapidly, and I 

 have seen it run fast over and through the tops of a thicket 

 of young pines 10 to 15 feet in height. This species, like the 

 black snake, sometimes will chase a fleeing person, but, in 

 turn, will run if pursued. It takes hens' eggs and those of other 

 birds, climbs to nests, and kills and swallows both old and 

 young birds, which form a very considerable part of its food 

 during the nesting season. This and the following species 

 enter the holes of woodpeckers, destroying eggs, adults and 

 young, and have been known even to extirpate colonies of 

 barn swallows nesting on the rafters. Their skill and activity 

 in climbing are unsurpassed among serpents. Mrs. L. H. 



