REVISION OF THE KING SNAKES. 



131 



field near the District of Columbia, and reports seven plowed up in 

 one 12-acre field in middle Virginia. 



In regard to its food in captivity, Ditmars (1907, 355) says it 

 ^ 'feeds upon the young of other snakes and upon lizards as well, but 

 seems to prefer small rodents and birds," and to be especially fond 

 of ''very young birds. Some specimens refused these tempting 

 morsels, and ultimately starved to death. Generally speaking, these 

 snakes are sluggish and uninteresting in captivity." One example 



40 



Fig. 43.— Map showing locality records for Lampropeltis rhombomaculata. 



found by Mr. Dunn in Nelson County, Virginia, disgorged a mouse. 

 In captivity they will feed upon dead mice. 



Accurate observations on the natural history of this form are very 

 much to be desired. 



Range.- — This species is at present known from Montgomery 

 County, Maryland, south through the Atlantic States to northern 

 Florida, west to Mobile County, Alabama, and northeast to Knox- 

 ville, Tennessee. Until about 30 years ago it was considered a rare 

 snake, and was known only from the Carolinas to Alabama. Since 

 that time numerous examples have been taken from Raleigh, North 

 Carolina, from Nelson County, Virginia, and from the vicinity of 

 Washington, District of Columbia. Now that we know better how 



