> 
1892.] Nebraska Snakes. 745 
through mere curiosity or owing to the temerity of the indi- 
vidual, as it invariably flees when given an opportunity. If 
forced to fight it often indicates its displeasure by rapidly 
vibrating its tail raised as in the case of the Rattlesnake. 
When in the leaves a perceptible noise may be made in this 
way. As is well known this snake is an enemy of numerous 
small birds, robbing their nests of the eggs or young and 
greatly frightening the mother bird. 
A somewhat careful examination of the stomach contents 
of numerous specimens shows this snake to be a great insect de- 
stroyer, the most common insects found being the grasshopper, 
dragonfly, etc. Other snakes are also devoured in great quan- 
tities; the Eutæniæ being most frequently captured. In the 
case of eating other snakes their desires seem to be limited by 
ability to swallow only. We have found in some large speci- 
mens garter snakes not less than two feet long. 
This species is common and well known all over the State. 
We have examined specimens from Brown, Cuming, Gage, 
Lancaster, Nemaha and other counties. Dr. Yarrow mentions 
specimens as collected at the following points: two from 
“Platte River,’ one from “ Nebraska” and one from “Fort 
Kearney, Nebraska,” and another from “Western Missouri” 
(Nebraska). Dr. Cooper also mentions collecting specimens in 
Nebraska but gives neither numbers nor localities. 
BasCANIUM FLAGELLIFORME Catesby. 
Mr. Garman gives the range of this snake as “ Dakota to 
Texas and the Pacific Coast” and Dr. Yarrow mentions one 
specimen taken on “Platte River, Mo.” (Nebraska). The 
extremely large collections we have had at our command would 
have enabled us to find this species if it were common. But 
as it is reported on excellent authority we include the species 
in our catalogue without numbering. 
8. CoLUBER VULPINUS Bd. and Gird. 
We have collected but few specimens of this species, all these 
being from Nemaha county. Judging from its distribution in 
