REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR AND STATE GEOLOGIST 1902 1*137 

 KING SNAKES 



Diadophis punctatus (Linn.) 

 Ring-necked snake 



This snake is quite frequently found, but it seems to be scarcer 

 each year. Indeed, all the snakes in the vicinity of Haver- 

 straw, New City and other towns are decreasing on account 

 of the merciless slaughter carried on by boys and men. It is 

 more common in New Jersey and Connecticut. 



The ring-necked snake extends very far northward; the writer 

 found it in Digby county, Nova Scotia, in 1898; southward it 

 extends to the South Atlantic states. A single specimen was 

 taken at Cold Spring Harbor L. I. in August 1899. 



BLOWING ADDERS 



Heterodon platyrhinus (Lat.) 

 Blowing adder or spreading adder 

 This serpent is perhaps more dreadful in its appearance than 

 any other snake of the eastern states, OAving to its habit of coiling 

 up, flattening its head and hissing like a poisonous snake. It is, 

 however, quite harmless. 



The blowing adder is not at all common in Rockland county. 

 It is found commonly in Connecticut, as at Hartford. 



GHEEAI SNAKES 



Cyclophis aestivus (Linn.) 



Rough green snake 

 In Rockland county only two species of snakes are regular tree- 

 climbers, the pilot snake and this little green snake, though 

 DeKay's snake sometimes climbs in bushes over water in the 

 spring. 



The green snake is called the summer snake, and it is, where 

 it occurs at all, extremely abundant. It is fond of lying in low 

 grass, coiled up in a tight knot, and is often found in New Jersey 

 in meadows bordering streams and lakes. 



This snake is. to those who can overcome their repug- 

 nance to snakes in general, a very attractive little creature and 

 makes an extremely docile and interesting pet. The eyes are 

 large, bright and intelligent looking. It seldom reaches 15 inches 

 in length, is very slender and of a beautiful, bright emerald 

 green color. 



