878 The American Naturalist. [October, 
THE EGGS OF PITYOPHIS MELANOLEUCUS. 
By J. Percy Moore. | 
In the absence of any complete published account of the 
breeding habits of the pine snake, the following notes may 
interest some of the readers of the NATURALIST. The mater- 
ial which furnished the data for this account was collected on 
Aug. 3, 1892, at Formosa Bog, Cape May Co., N. J., by a party 
of students from the Sea Isle City Marine Laboratory, who, 
under the guidance of Dr. J. M. Macfarlane, were engaged in 
botanical investigation of the region. The nest was brought 
to their attention through the courtesy of Mr. Peter Hoff, one 
of those rare genuises of the woods whom it is the pleasure and 
profit of the naturalist to meet with now and then in his wan- 
derings, and to whom our exploring parties were indebted for 
many kindnesses. 
The snake which mothered the brood was a fine specimen of 
its kind, nearly six feet in length, and one of Mr. Hoff’s most 
valued companions, for it was well-known to him as a regular 
habitué of his fields and barrens. At the time of oviposition, 
which occurred in the middle of May, Mr. Hoff saw the snake 
traverse the entire length (about 100 yards) of a field planted 
with squash and cucumber vines, pausing frequently to test 
the quality of the soil, which was of a loose sandy nature, with 
its snout. A spot was finally selected by the side of a row of 
plants, where the more tenacious character of the soil favored 
the construction of a nest. Excavation was begun by loosen- 
ing the soil with the head, which was worked under the sur- 
face; and the loose earth thrown out. By alternately breaking 
the ground with the head, and brushing away the loosened 
soil with the tail, as Mr. Hoff stated, a tunnel was finally con- 
structed of sufficient length to entirely conceal the snake. 
Within this tunnel it remained entirely hidden from view 
until oviposition was accomplished, when the entrance was 
closed and the locality deserted. 
