356 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Erratum in last Issue. — Note on "Breeding of the Bittern in 

 Herts " (ante, p. 316). For " JolmWobley " read " John Wolley." — 

 Francis C. B. Jourdain (Clifton Vicarage, Ashburne, Derbyshire). 



BEPTILIA. 



The Habits of the Grass-Snake (Tropidonotus natrix) in Confine- 

 ment. — This species, besides being very easily procured, is very hardy, 

 and not nearly so subject to canker in captivity as are some of the 

 continental species. Out of about twenty-five specimens I have had in 

 my possession, only one has died of this disease, and that one through 

 being put into an infected cage. 



The Grass-Snake, or Binged Snake, when frequently handled, 

 soon becomes tame, and hardly ever attempts to bite. There are 

 certainly two or three instances recorded where it has done so ; and I 

 myself was once bitten by one, but it is certainly of very rare occur- 

 rence. The food of this snake undoubtedly consists of frogs and 

 small fish, and very rarely toads, and some of my snakes will 

 frequently take minnows out of my fingers, while I have often induced 

 them to take a dead minnow by moving it about in their front. The 

 Grass-Snake is said to eat the eggs of birds, but, although this may 

 be the case, I have never been able to induce my snakes to eat them in 

 captivity. The Grass- Snake will frequently breed in captivity, and in 

 some cases incubate her eggs. One specimen I had two years ago 

 laid sixteen eggs shortly after she came into my possession, but sub- 

 sequent to their deposition she took no more notice of them. These 

 eggs were all separated from one another, and this, I think, is rather 

 unusual, as they are generally joined together in a string by a 

 glutinous substance. 



The Grass- Snake is very fond of water, and is an excellent swim- 

 mer. It should therefore, while in captivity, be provided with a large 

 pan of water, in which it will frequently remain for a considerable 

 time completely submerged, with the exception of the head ; one of 

 my specimens whilst casting its skin this summer remained in the 

 water for more than ninety-six hours. 



As regards the sloughing of this species, I have noticed that it is 

 much less frequently done than in other European species. Many of 

 the latter — such as the Dice, iEsculapian, and Leopard snakes, which 

 I have kept — have cast two or three times between the months of 

 April and September; whereas many of the Grass-Snakes have not 

 cast at all during this period, not even after passing the winter in con- 

 finement in a state of semi-hibernation. — B. J. Horton (305, Stratford 

 Boad, Sparkbrook, Birmingham). 



