rl42 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Storeria occipitomaculata (Storer) 

 Red-bellied ground snake, brown snake 

 Common in the farming country, but seldom seen in the rocky 

 hills. This species loves flat, dry areas and plowed fields, where 

 there is dust. It is very frequently found on the roads, killed 

 by boys and mashed almost beyond identification. 



It is found also in New Jersey, and a specimen has been taken 

 at Cold Spring Harbor L. I. 



GARTER SNAKES 



Eutaenia saurita (Linn.) 



Ribbon snake 



The prettiest garter snake, if it may be so called, is this snake. 

 Cope includes it in the group and places it, phylogenetically, at 

 the point farthest off from the type, E. sirtalis. This one is 

 domestic in its habits and is frequently found around kitchen 

 gardens, where it snaps up insects. 



One fact is noticeable, that, while E. sirtalis is the most vari- 

 able species in the county, saurita seems alw T ays the same in pat- 

 tern and in brightness of colors. 



Eutaenia sirtalis (Linn.) 



Common striped snake 



The snake that is oftenest seen lying dead on the country road, 

 or thrown over an orchard wall, is this unfortunate garter. 

 There is no reason for killing it; it is undoubtedly of value to 

 the farmers, and is perfectly harmless. 



Going along a road, some 3 miles from the village of Nyack one 

 day in the spring of 1896, the writer was a witness of a most in- 

 teresting courtship. A large female garter snake was coming 

 down the road toward me, evidently making for a stone wall 

 near by. Suddenly from a bush emerged another garter. He 

 gave chase to the first, caught up with, and headed her off. Then 

 for 10 minutes the two circled about, going up and down the 

 road, passing me several times. At last they glided gracefully 

 over a low r road and disappeared in the adjoining field. 



The common garter snake is a most variable species, and sev- 

 eral so called varieties have been accredited to the eastern states, 



