1896.] Zoology. 325 



for the concentric rings. These snares are at varying heights, some- 

 times within reach, again 10 to 12 feet from the ground, but tlwayt in 

 a position exposed to the rays of the sun. The diameter is also variable, 

 from 3 feet upwards. One seen by Graffe in the Fiji Islands (prob- 

 ably a Nephila) constructs a web 30 feet in diameter. 



These snares are strong enough to entrap small birds. In the 

 author's opinion the web is not set for such game, and the spider does 

 not feed on her ornithological victim. In the cases where she has been 

 observed with her fangs in the body of the ensnared bird it is probable 

 that it is for the purpose of hastening the death of the bird in order to 

 prevent its injuring the web in its struggles to escape. 



Spiders of the genus Nephila are easily tamed. Although exceed- 

 ingly voracious, they can nevertheless exist for many days without 

 either food or water. They pair in autumn. The sexes inhabit the 

 same web for a considerable time, the female in the center and the male 

 on the upper edge of the web. His efforts to ingratiate himself in the 

 favor of his mate are not always successful. It not infrequently happens 

 that he has to retire from her presence minus two or three legs. " Ulti- 

 mately says the author, he succeeds in attaching himself in the 

 requisite position, and performing the necessary act of fecundation." 

 (Proceeds. Linn. Soc. N. South Wales, [2] Vol. X, Pt. 2, 1895.) 



Autodax iecanus. — According to Mr. Van Denburg, Autodax 

 i'ecanus, a black Salmander first found in Shasta Co., California, is a 

 nocturnal forager. It usually walks slowly along, moving one foot at 

 a time, but is capable of rapid motion when necessary. At such a time 

 it aids the action of the legs by a sinuous motion of the whole body 

 and tail. In addition to being prehensile, the tail is put to a third 

 use. When caught the animal will often remain motionless, but if 

 touched will raise the tail and strike it forcibly against the surface upon 

 which it rests, and accompanying this action with a quick motion of the 

 hind legs, will jump from four to six inches, rising as high as two or 

 three inches. Mr. Van Denburg finds that the species has a wide dis- 

 tribution in California. (Proceeds. Calif. Acad. Sci., Vol. V, 1895.) 



Reptiles and Batrachians of Mesilla Valley, New Mexico. 

 —The following list may be worth publishing as a contribution to the 

 more exact knowledge of the distribution of animals in New Mexico. 

 It may be relied upon as correct, as all the species have been identified 

 by Dr. L. Stejneger, and the specimens are to be found in the U. S. 

 National Museum. The valley about Las Cruces, where most of the 

 species were obtained, is 3800 ft. above sea-level, its extreme sides rise 



