SERPENTS OF NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES 375 



" Generally distributed near New York city, but not common." 

 Ditmars. '96, p. 13 



" A very uncommon species" (in the Highlands.) Mearns. '98, 

 p. 327 



u A rather common snake in Orange county ; less abundant, I 

 believe, east of the Hudson." Eckel. 1901, p. 152 



Fig. 11 Osceola doliata triangula 



" Apparently not common in the immediate vicinity of Ithaca. 

 Farther away from the town they appear to be more common." 

 Reed. 1901 



" Common in the villages and farming country of Rockland 

 county." Wallace. 1901 



11 Ophibolus getulus (Linn.) 



Jordan. Lampropeltis ge t ulus 



Head little distinct, conic, not depressed, the muzzle slightly 



compressed and the rostral plate projecting beyond the lower jaw. 



Tail short. Scales smooth, in 21 to 25 rows. 



Ground color black, marked above and below with yellow or 



white spots or bands. Top of head black, with white or yellow spots. 



Several subspecies exist, the only form occurring within our limits, 



liowever, being that next described — Ophibolus getulus 



getulus. 



11a Ophibolus getulus getulus (Linn.) 



Chain snake 

 De Kay. Coluber getulus 

 Jordan. Lampropeltis getulus 



Scales smooth, in 21-23 rows. 



Head black, with yellow spots ; color above black, crossed by about 

 SO narrow, continuous yellow lines, which bifurcate on the flanks ; 

 below, yellow, blotched with black. Length 50 inches. 



" Not uncommon in the pine woods of New Jersey, and also found, 

 but rarely, in what are called the brush plains of Long Island." 

 Be Kay. '42, p. 38 



