1892.7 Nebraska Snakes. 747 
weight enables them to make a strong defense. We have 
often kept them for several days in our laboratory. In several 
instances when allowed to run at large in the room and after 
having disappeared for several days they were found snugly 
coiled awayin some cupboard or drawer thought to have been 
out of their reach. When very much agitated and excited the 
tail is vibrated rapidly, similarly to the rattlesnake. When 
in a zinc tank about 2x2 feet these vibrations could be dis- ` 
tinctly heard some ten or more feet from the tank. When 
forced to fight these snakes prefer to get against some object, or 
coil the body around some bush or stake when they can strike 
a blow sufficient to defend themselves against the attacks of 
an ordinary sized dog. However, they never fight as long as 
there is a show for escape as may be seen by tracing them on 
an open and almost grassless prairie. 
The result of the examinations of the stomachs of these 
snakes shows that their food is almost wholly made up of 
rodents, most notably ground mice, but also including rats, 
gophers, squirrels, moles and similar animals. From an eco- 
nomic standpoint this is our most useful snake, destroying 
more destructive rodents than any other animal with which 
we are acquainted. 
What meager notes we have on their breeding habits show 
them tò be very prolific, thus accounting for the fact that they 
are still numerous, notwithstanding their wanton destruction 
in great numbers. 
This species is very abundant all over the State. We have 
examined specimens from Brown, Dawes, Gage, Lancaster, 
Nemaha, Sarpy, Sheridan and other countries. Dr. Yarrow 
mentions one specimen as taken in “ Nebraska ” and three at 
“ Fort Kearney, Neb.” 
11. HETERODON PLATYRHINUS Latreille. 
These snakes are quite common, seemingly more frequent 
in eastern Nebraska. They feed almost wholly on insects, 
insect larvæ and worms, and are always found in a good con- 
dition—generally fat—and, furthermore, are certainly worthy 
of protection, being entirely harmless. 
