SERPENTS OF NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES 



367 



" Found under stones and logs." De Kay. '42 



" Rare around ISTyack. I have seen but one specimen, taken in 



1899 at Blauveltville, Rockland co. N. Y." Wallace. 1901 



Probably occurs quite commonly in all the northeastern states. 



Its small size, inconspicuous color, and habits render it difficult of 



detection, however. It is commonly found under stones or logs, or 



in fields during plowing. 



2 Diadophis punctatus (Linn.) 

 Ring-necked snake 

 De Kay. Coluber punctatus 

 Jordan. Diadophis punctatus 

 Head much depressed, flattened above ; snout rounded ; body slen- 

 der ; tail tapering. Scales in 15 rows. 



Bluish black above, with a 

 yellow or yellowish white ring 

 about neck ; yellowish beneath, 

 sometimes with spots. Length 

 18 inches. 



" Found in every part of 

 the state. Common under 

 rocks and stones, and fre- 

 quently seen under the bark 

 of decayed trees." De Kay, 

 '42, p. 40 



" Quite numerous." Mearns 

 " Rare (near Ithaca)." Reed, 



Fig. 3 Diadophis punctatus 



'98, p. 326 

 1901 



" Quite frequent in Rockland county. I captured a single speci- 

 men at Coldspring Harbor, Long Island, in August, 1899." Wal- 

 lace. 1901 



This snake may be common in southeastern New York, but it is 

 rarely seen. I have secured but a single specimen in that region^ 

 taken in June 1901 near Fishkill village, Dutchess co. E". Y. 



