134 
THE COACH-WHIP SNAKE. 
It also feeds much on birds, especially when they are young, and is consequently an object 
of detestation to the feathered tribes. It often happens that the locality of the Black Snake 
is indicated by the proceedings of the little birds, which collect above their hated enemy, scold 
with harsh cries, flutter their wings noisily, and by dint of continual annoyance will often 
drive the reptile away from the locality. It has been thought that this Serpent was in the 
habit of killing its prey by pressure, after the fashion of the boas, but this statement has 
not been satisfactorily confirmed. 
The color of this Snake is blue-black above, and ashen slate below, becoming rather 
whiter upon the throat. In some specimens a number of spots are observed upon the back of 
a deeper and duller hue than the general tint. In length the Black Snake generally reaches 
from five to six feet. 
This familiar Serpent of our country-side is the beau ideal of its race ; expressing the 
most slender and graceful form, with an extreme length of body. The tail is prolonged 
gradually to a mere point, and becomes highly prehensile. The head is graceful, and the 
steel -bluish, uniform color, with the beautifully tessellated arrangement of scales, all tend to 
render the creature attractive in spite of its being a Snake, usually the embodiment of the 
unsightly. Add to this, the Black Snake is the most active of its order ; and even the 
most powerful. 
This is widely distributed over the United States. A species found in California is 
dedicated to General Fremont. It has a stouter body and a larger head than the preced- 
ing. Nine other species will be found enumerated in the catalogue at the end of this 
volume. 
Bead Snake (. Elaps fulmus). Inhabits Virginia and southward to Alabama. It is also 
called Harlequin, from its curiously marked body. Though possessing poison-fangs, it 
is very gentle and mild in disposition. It is jet-black, with seventeen broad crimson 
rings, each bordered with yellow. Two other species are recorded, E. tenere , and E. tristis , 
of Texas. 
Ribbon Snake {Eutcenia saurita). Called also Swift Garter Snake. The markings are 
slender and ribbon-like. Inhabits east of the Alleghanies and southward to Georgia. 
Fairies Garter Snake {E. faireyi). Inhabits the Mississippi valley, and northward to 
Michigan. Say’s Garter Snake has the same habitat. Hay’s Garter Snake inhabits 
from Lake Michigan, westward to Oregon. 
Common Garter Snake (E. sirtalis ), is the familiar striped Snake of eastern New 
England, and is our most common species. Several varieties are known. Ten other species 
are also enumerated as inhabiting the United States. 
Water Adder ( Tropidonotus sipedori). This is an exceedingly common aquatic Snake, 
indigenous to the Eastern United States. 
A variety, called the Red-bellied Water Snake, is common in Michigan. Twelve 
distinct species are known as North American. 
The small, but interesting family of the Dryadidse contains a number of Serpents remark- 
able for the slender elegance of their form, the delicate beauty of their coloring, and the 
singular swiftness of their movements. 
The well-known Coach- whip Snake, of North America, is a useful example of this 
family. 
This remarkable reptile has not earned its popular name without good reason, for the 
resemblance between one of these Serpents and a leather whip-thong is almost incredibly 
close. 
The creature is very long in proportion to its width, the neck and head are very small, 
