THE AMERICAN NA TURALIS T. [Vol. XXXV 1 1 . 



urosteges (plates on ventral side of tail, behind vent). Special 

 attention was also given to habits, food, and localities where cap- 

 tured. All the specimens were taken in the months of April, 

 May, and June. While the number of snakes thus handled is 

 not so large as had been desired, the results obtained are of 

 sufficient interest and importance to warrant publication, in the 

 hope that observers elsewhere will make similar records and 

 thus enable us to ascertain the truth in regard to our common 

 water snakes and their distribution. 



Natural History. 



Much of the country around Olivet is low and swampy ; 

 small lakes connected by more or less sluggish streams are of 

 frequent occurrence, and even in dry summers there is no lack 

 of water. No wonder, therefore, that water snakes are com- 

 mon, especially if one has learned when and where to look for 

 them. Three easily distinguished forms occur, which are 

 designated by Cope 1 as Natrix leberis (L.), N. fasciata sipedon 

 (L.), and N.f. erythrogaster (Shaw). The first of these is the 

 smallest and the least common. The largest specimen met 

 with was 747 mm. in length, but all of the others were less 

 than 700 mm. There are only nineteen rows of dorsal scales, 

 and the olive color, with three narrow, longitudinal black 

 stripes on the back, and a buff lateral stripe very prominent 

 anteriorly, is also very characteristic. Cope says that this 

 species shows "very little variation in any respect," but the 

 few specimens I have examined show a great deal of diversity 

 in the distinctness of the stripes and the amount of slate on 

 the belly. Judging from what I have seen of its habits, this 

 snake is very fond of the water, as I have never found it out of 

 that element, except when sunning itself on branches immedi- 

 ately above some stream or the edge of a pond. The two 

 snakes which are regarded by Cope as subspecies of N. fasciata 

 are much more abundant than N. leberis, and all of my detailed 

 observations have been made upon them. Both are very aquatic 



