Cie dlend< with nen date ee EE OSCR OL GEL Ely Fahy wat Fit ey tte ntetiedi stale a FACADE En ae ee Pate ease: Shinai te ee aiatentoah eaaace Beene Sine riba sree tosh samc top eden % NT sal OTD ry Py oS ate ae BN Sear ITI Teg Taal Re ACIS et COLT ALIS 229 Nin Pie EM it Won, Nee a RPL A ee SH Ete ee ORAM a ee hg, Fed ary RE oh ‘i “ aN £4 Deeds oa me > ee an aatee Ne “ mi r, “ ae ee = Pier ete 4 =o N tart < bipek Mii inlets Mn a Gee eee Fee wee ry fe me Z ea nol oh Vere Les a a Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from University of Toronto http://www.archive.org/details/someaccountofampOOlogi é CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE : ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY No. 5: SOME ACCOUNT OF THE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, sy E. B. S. LOGIER. - (Reprinted from Transactions of the Royal Canadian Institute, Vol. XVIII, Part 2, pp. 311 to 3 36) 1932 ‘7. ee = Rie ae + ay k SOME ACCOUNT OF THE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA* By E. B. S. LOGIER In the summer of 1928 the writer visited southern British Columbia with Professor J. R. Dymond, Mr. T. B. Kurata and Mr. C. M. Mottley. The party was engaged in a study of the trout of that region under the Biological Board of Canada, and in collecting natural history material for the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology. Such time as was available to the writer from other duties was devoted to the search for amphibians and reptiles. In the year 1925 a number of specimens of these groups were collected in British Columbia by Miss A. P. McDougall, a graduate student in the Department of Biology, University of Toronto, and since 1928 additional specimens have been sent to us by friends of the Museum. The collection of specimens and data of these groups from British Columbia in the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology is still very limited, but since com- paratively little collecting and study of amphibians and reptiles has been prosecuted in that province, it seemed to the writer that there was enough material at hand to make worth while the writing of an annotated list. | Twelve species of amphibians are listed by Slevin (1928) as occurring in British Columbia, and one additional species, the Western Spadefoot Toad Scaphiopus hammondii was recorded by Patch (1929, p. 138). A record of the Red Salamander Ensatina eschscholizit published by Hardy (1926, p. C 23) seems to have been overlooked. Fight species and subspecies of reptiles are reported by Van Denburgh (1922) as ranging into British Columbia. Records of the pigmy horned toad Phrynosoma douglassit douglassi1 from Osoyoos by Fannin (1898, p. 57), the desert gopher snake Pztuophis catenifer deserticola from Okanagan falls and Vaseaux lake by Anderson (1914, p. G19), and the prairie garter snake Thamnophis sirialis parietalis from Donald, Kaslo, Nelson and Sicamous by Ruthven (1908, p. 167), are not mentioned by Van Denburgh. . The list of fourteen amphibians and fourteen reptiles presented below includes all the species and subspecies of which the writer can *Contribution No. 5, Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology. dll 312 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE find published reports of reliable source showing that they occur in British Columbia, or of which he has seen specimens from that province. Amphibians Reptiles *Triturus torosus Phrynosoma douglassii douglassii Ambystoma decorticatum *Gerrhonotus principis *Ambystoma gracile *Charina botiae * Ambystoma macrodactylum *Coluber constrictor mormon *Dicamptoden ensatus *Pituophis catenifer deserticola * Plethodon intermedius *Thamnophis ordinoides ordinoides *Fnsatina eschscholtzu *Thamnophis ordinoides biscutatus *A neides ferreus *Thamnophis ordinoides elegans *Scaphiopus hammondu *Thamnophts ordinoides vagrans *Bufo boreas boreas *Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus *FTyla regilla *Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis *Rana aurora aurora *Crotalus oreganus Rana cantabrigensis Clemmys marmorata *Rana pretiosa pretiosa *Chrysemys marginata belliz The species marked with an asterisk (with exception of Ensatina eschscholtzit, the specimen of which met with an accident) are represented in the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology collection and will be discussed in the succeeding pages, but a few remarks on the four species listed above but not represented in our collection will be of interest. Ambystoma decorticatum Cope is a northern species of salamander. It is listed by Slevin (1928, p. 28) from Port Simpson where the type specimen was taken. Hardy (1928, p. E17) records a specimen in the Provincial Museum, Victoria, which was taken at Prince Rupert. Mr. W. A. Newcombe of that Museum kindly furnished the writer with the following history of the Prince Rupert specimen, Provincial Museum No. 16: It was sent to the Museum by Mr. M. L. Bird from Prince Rupert in October, 1914. In December, 1926, it was forwarded to Mr. J. R. Slevin who identified it from the published description of the type, and in 1927 to the United States National Museum where Dr. E. R. Dunn compared it with the type specimen and confirmed Mr. Slevin’s identification. Dunn (1930, p. 88) gives additional records for British Columbia from Metlakatla, Chillinae valley on Tamitly mountain, and Bella Coola. That it occurs throughout the coastal region of British Columbia there can be little doubt, since Slater (1930, p. 87) records it from the Olympic peninsula in the State of Washington. Rana cantabrigensis Baird, Western Wood Frog, is recorded by Slevin (1928, p. 1383) as having been taken at the following localities in British Columbia: Atlin, Hazelton, Kispiox valley twenty-three miles north of Hazelton, and Meadow lake twenty miles north of Clinton. Phrynosoma douglassit douglass (Bell), Pigmy Horned Toad, is AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 313 reported by Fannin (1898, p. 57) from Osoyoos. It is recorded by Van Denburgh (1922, Vol. 1, p. 375) from Washington at Spokane, North Yakima and Steilacoom, so there seems to be no reason to doubt its occurrence at Osoyoos. It is the smallest and most northerly ranging species of the genus and could certainly not be confused with any other lizard occurring in British Columbia. Clemmys marmorata (Baird and Girard), Pacific Terrapin, is reported by Van Denburgh (1922, Vol. 2, p. 976) as ranging on the Pacific slope from Lower California to British Columbia, and he states that ‘‘Lord reports it common on Vancouver island’’. The writer does not know of any definite locality record. Under each species discussed in the following pages the previously published British Columbia records are listed. These are drawn from one or more of the following sources: Anderson, 1914; Cope, 1900; Fannin, 1898; Hardy, 1926, 1927, 1928; Kermode, 1913, 1927, 1929, 1930; Patch, 1922, 1929; Ruthven, 1908; Slevin, 1928; Storer, 1925; Thacker, 1924; Van Denburgh, 1922; Van Denburgh and Slevin, 1918. All measurements are from alcoholic material and so, in the case of the snakes especially, can only be considered as approximate since there is always some shrinkage and also, since it is impossible completely to straighten the body of a preserved specimen. The length measure- ments given for frogs and toads were taken from the tip of the snout to the posterior surface of the ischial symphysis. In the scale formulae given for the snakes, the three counts of dorsal scales refer to the minimum number of rows near the anterior end of the body, the maximum near the centre, and the minimum near the tail, respectively. In referring to the scutes of the head, oculars, labials, etc., those on the left side are written first, z.e., preoculars 2—1 would mean that there were two on the left side and one on the right; if written 1—2 it would mean the reverse. If two figures are coupled by a plus sign instead of a dash, they both refer to scutes on the same side of the head, 7.e., oculars 1+3 means that there is one preocular and three postoculars on the same side of the head. It was through the Biological Board of Canada and Dr. W. A. Clemens, Director of the Biological Station at Nanaimo, that our party was enabled to visit British Columbia. While guests at the Biological Station every possible accommodation was accorded us, including the use of the laboratories, equipment, boats, etc., and many courtesies were extended contributing much to our comfort and success. Some valuable assistance was rendered by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. At Kaslo, the local Association of Anglers generously afforded us the use of one of their buildings as a laboratory, the use of their boats, and assisted us in other ways also. We are indebted to the Department of 314 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE Marine and Fisheries of the Dominion of Canada for the use of the fish hatcheries at Nelson and Summerland, in which we were permitted to establish field laboratories. At Nelson, Mr. Weldon Reed, in charge of the local hatchery there, was very kind and accommodating to our party, made us feel very welcome and helped us in every way possible. While at Christina Lake Mr. H. C. Kerman permitted us to occupy his summer cottage and use his boats, and took much thought and trouble for our comfort in other ways besides. While at Summerland Mr. Geo. N. Gartrell, in charge of the hatchery, and Captain H. H. Creese were of invaluable service to our party, placing their time, their cars and their knowledge of the country and its fauna at our disposal, and favouring us with their companionship and guidance on many of our collecting trips, a number of which could not otherwise have been undertaken. Mr. G. Morgan should also be mentioned for generous assistance rendered with his time and his car, and in other ways. While at Cultus lake Dr. R. E. Foerster extended many courtesies and valuable assistance to our party, which it is indeed a pleasure to acknowledge. Too much could not be said in recognition of the contribution which these gentlemen made to the success of our work, and to our personal convenience and happiness. Throughout the summer of 1928 the writer was fortunate in having much kind co-operation from the other members of the party, 1.e., Professor J. R. Dymond, Mr. T. B. Kurata and Mr. C. M. Mottley. For many of the specimens collected the writer is indebted to the follow- ing persons: Major Allan Brooks, Dr. W. A. Clemens, Captain H. H. Creese, Professor J. R. Dymond, Dr. R. E. Foerster, Mr. G. N. Gartrell, Mr. T. B. Kurata, Miss A. P. McDougall, Mr. C. M. Mottley, Mr. J. A. Munro, Mr. K. Racey, Professor G. J. Spencer and Mr. H. W. Swaine. For the loan of one of the turtles collected by Mr. E. M. Anderson in the Okanagan in 19138, and for the history of the specimen of Ambystoma decoriticatum in the Provincial Museum, Victoria, the writer is indebted to Mr. W. A. Newcombe. The garter-snakes collected in 1925 and 1926 were identified by Dr. A. G. Ruthven. Certain specimens concerning which Dr. Ruthven was in doubt, owing to there being insufficient material from a region where the ranges of the forms in question came together, were later sent to Mr. J. R. Slevin who confirmed Dr. Ruthven’s identifications. The garter-snakes collected in 1928 and subsequently, and also the racers, were submitted to Mr. Slevin. All of the frogs, some of the specimens of toads, and certain of the salamanders and larvae were sent to Professor T. I. Storer for examination. Some of the salamanders and salamander larvae were examined by Dr. E. R. Dunn. Our notes of scales and blotches of the bull snakes were submitted to Dr. F. N. Blanchard. To these zoologists the writer and the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology wish to express sincere thanks for the “ RE eee, ear. a AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 315 identification of the specimens in question and for useful comments on diagnostic features and distribution. For information concerning certain locality names cited in the literature as being in British Columbia, for their exact locations, for subsequent changes in any of these names and for corrections of those cited in error, the writer wishes to thank Mr. J. H. Corry, Secretary of the Geographic Board of Canada; Mr. W. A. New- combe of the Provincial Museum, Victoria; and Mr. J. R. Slevin of the California Academy of Sciences. The scientific nomenclature used is that of Stejneger and Barbour (1923), except in the case of Ambystoma gracile. AMPHIBIANS Triturus torosus (Eschscholtz). PAcirrc NEwt.—Previous records from British Columbia: Bella Coola, Chilliwack river, Fraser river, Hagensborg, Hatzic, Metlakatla, and Ocean falls on the mainland; San Mateo lake near Union bay, and Victoria on Vancouver island. Our specimens of this species are from Vancouver island near Nanaimo with the exception of one from the Fraser valley. The adult specimens in our collection range from 114 to 149 mm. in length. Adult specimens which are living at the Department of Biology, University of Toronto, show the following coloration: yellowish brown on dorsal surfaces, indistinctly marbled on body and tail with darker gray, and some blackish spots along margins of brown; ventral surfaces abruptly dull yellow. When these specimens were captured on August 14, 1928, shortly after transformation, they were of a deep orange-red on the now yellow region of the sides, and almost black above. The specimen from the Fraser valley was a female of 130 mm. in length, taken between May 1 and 15, 1925, by Miss A. P. McDougall. It was full of eggs. A specimen of 149 mm. taken at Lone lake near Nanaimo on July 31, 1913, by Mr. T. B. Kurata had evidently finished egg laying, and the ovaries contained only minute eggs. Of two females of 114 and 115 mm. taken at Lone lake on July 17, 1926, by Professor J. R. Dymond, one was full of ripening eggs and had evidently not yet spawned; the other had one enlarged ovary with only minute eggs. On August 12, 1928, nineteen larvae ranging from 34 to 58.5 mm. in length were taken at Lone lake; in five of the larger specimens the gills were beginning to disappear. On August 14, 1928, nineteen larvae were taken in a pond on Newcastle island near Nanaimo; they ranged in length from 23.5 to 46 mm. Seventeen recently transformed newts were taken from beneath a log beside the same pond. On neither of the above dates were adults found in the water. Patch (1922, p. 75) records specimens as having been taken in the 6 316 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE water on June 10 and July 16, and under logs beside the water on Sept- ember 7. The specimen taken at Lone lake on July 31, 1913, was taken in the water where many others were also seen. The above data would indicate that in British Columbia this species leaves the water in the middle of the summer. Ambystoma gracile (Baird). Previous records from British Col- umbia: Bella Coola!, Chilliwack lake, and Hagensborg* on the mainland; Nanaimo and Victoria on Vancouver island. There are twenty-three larvae and one transformed specimen in our collection. Ten of the larvae were taken by Miss A. P. McDougall on September 6, 1925, from ponds on Holyburn ridge near Vancouver at an altitude of 3,500 feet. They ranged in length from 52.5 to 157 mm., and all had large gills and complete dorsal fins. Thirteen were taken in Brent’s lake near Summerland by the writer on July 1, 1928. They ranged from 52 to 72.5 mm. in length and were all completely larval. They were of a light yellow ground colour with brown mottlings which showed a vertical arrangement on the body and were scattered on the tail and fins; a yellow line practically free from mottling extended along the side of the body and tail. The transformed specimen which measures 82.5 mm. in length was taken by Dr. R. E. Foerster at Chilliwack on June 20, 1926. Patch* (1922, p. 76) records the capture of larval specimens of Ambystoma paroticum (=gracile) of 44 mm. in length at Bella Coola on June 10, in which the ‘‘dorsal dermal border’ extended to the base of the skull; and the capture of additional specimens on August 10, measuring 63 mm., and which had lost the dermal border and gills, only the scars of the latter remaining. Patch’s specimens which were trans- forming at 63 mm. were from practically at sea level, while our specimens from Holyburn ridge at an altitude of 3,500 feet are still completely larval up to a length of 157 mm. Storer (1925, p. 76) records a large series of specimens taken on Mount Ranier on August 14, 1911, which ‘‘contains larvae of various sizes and in various stages of transformation. The largest larva measures 160 millimeters in length; the smallest metamorphosing animal is but 108 millimeters long.” If Patch’s specimens should prove to be gracile the above data would indicate the retention of larval characters in a mountain habitat to a considerably larger size. Ambystoma gracile is listed under the name of A. paroticum by Stejneger and Barbour (19238, p. 6), by Storer (1925, pp. 74-76), and by 1Dunn (1930, p. 88) suggests that these records of Patch’s for paroticum may really refer to decorticatum. AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 317 Slevin (1928, pp. 26-28). Dunn (1926, pp. 135, 1386) published on the status of this species and showed that Szredon gracilis Baird 1857 is the larva of Ambystoma paroticum Baird 1867, so the species should be known as Ambystoma gracile (Baird). Ambystoma macrodactylum (Baird). LonGc-TOED SALAMANDER.— Previous records from British Columbia: Agassiz, Bella Coola, Chilliwack lake, Clinton, Creston, Garabaldi, Hagensborg, Hatzic, East fork of Moose river, New Westminster, Stikine river at Sawmill lake, four miles north of Telegraph creek, and at Watson lake. The Museum has received specimens of this species from Midday valley, from Okanagan Landing, and from Paul lake near Kamloops. The Midday valley specimen was taken by Miss A. P. McDougall on July 13, 1925. Of ve 00 a 3 5 Qe Se c te’ SiO... |..8. 8 rs) SC) s2/ 24 oar: 3 =| Tere Sy as — Doe Use ays A & > ro) a | | | SS 2603 483 | 62 1-1 6-7 10-9 | 12-11 | 41-45-29 206 | 37 In the first and second specimen the fourth and fifth superior labial, respectively, on the left side enter the orbital ring, and are included in the above counts. Coluber constrictor mormon (Baird and Girard). WESTERN YELLOW-BELLIED RACER.—Previous records from British Columbia: Okanagan falls, and Vaseaux lake. There are two specimens from British Columbia in the Museum collection. One was taken at Keremeos on July 11, 1928, by Mr. G. N. Gartrell and members of the Museum party. It was found early on a hot afternoon stretched out in a narrow band of shade cast by a piece of rock. The other specimen, a pregnant female, was taken by Mr. Gartrell at Marron lake, southwest of Okanagan lake, on August 15, 1930, and was sent to us preserved. The colour in life of the Keremeos specimen was grayish green above and pale yellow beneath, with a narrow blue band along each side on the lower half of the first scale row, and the edges of the ventrals. The colour of the Marron lake specimen, which is still fairly well preserved, was apparently similar. The specimens are nos. 2257, male; and 2602, female. They show considerable variation, the measurements and scale counts are respec- tively: total length 686 and 788 mm., tail length 191 and 182 mm.; preoculars 2—2; postoculars 2—2 and 1—1; superior labials 8—8 and 7—7; inferior labials 8—8; dorsal scale rows 17—15; ventrals 170 and 175; subcaudals 97 and 69. 326 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE Pituophis catenifer deserticola Stejneger. DESERT GOPHER SNAKE.—Previous records from British Columbia: Okanagan falls, Vaseaux lake and Vernon. There are four specimens of this snake in the Museum collection: A female taken by Major Allan Brooks at Okanagan on July 26, 1926, and three males taken by members of the Museum party in 1928 at Green lake southwest of Okanagan lake on July 7, at Keremeos on July 11, and at Kaledon on July 20. A specimen was taken at Vernon in 1929 by Professor G. J. Spencer and sent alive to the Department of Biology, University of Toronto. The colour in life was pale straw-yellow above with dark brown keels to the scales; a series of forty-five to fifty-five brown dorsal blotches from head to above vent, pale at central and very dark toward anterior and posterior regions of body; twelve to sixteen blackish-brown cross bands on tail; belly yellowish white with brown or black spots, chiefly along the sides where the spots are spaced at intervals of two, three, or four plates. In two of the specimens at hand the spots are pale along the central region of the body, and faint and obscure ventrally. Head light brown above, mottled with darker brown or black on frontal and parietals; a dark transverse band across top of head just in front of eyes; a dark band from eye to angle of mouth, and a dark vertical spot beneath eye; labial sutures mostly marked with brown or black. The oculars are 2+3 on each side in all four cases; the varying characters are tabulated below. . - = . | & = < S Diet E E 5 tS. z oh uv n = E 9 Lig alre| @w a er ae ee ees = Sie ot ~ os wo nO wo Pp oO 3) nO S|". Oo 5 & 4) 500 ra 10 Qe oO x — cv 5Q mw 2S 5 +} Cea ile eee Rie ne esi seus eo os oe oo te ote wae Ne oot Et Se S Wa ak eg hlyy A a - a ow (ae See a | ff 26-30-21 | 224 | 60 49 |16 338 50 8-8 11-11 | 27-31-21 | 226 | 62 45 {12 CO CO (<) — 2 Oo iw) e (0) ph ie ar 1) The relation between the numbers of ventral plates and dorsal blotches, dorsal scale rows and preoculars, and caudal blotches and preoculars have been used by Van Denburgh (1922) and Blanchard (1925) to distinguish between the species of Pituophis. For the specimens described above these relationships are as follows: number of ventral plates less number of dorsal blotches on body and tail, 164, 161, 159, 169; number of scale rows plus number of preoculars on both sides of head, 35, 33, 34, 35; number of caudal blotches plus number of preoculars on both sides of head, 20, 19, 20, 16. AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA O27 Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus (Hallowell). © NORTHWESTERN GARTER-SNAKE.—Previous records from British Columbia: Bella Coola, Chilliwack prairies, Donald, Kaslo, Lillooet river valley, Lund, and Sumas prairies on the mainland; Alberni valley, Comox lake, and Union bay on Vancouver island; Gabriola island. There are three specimens from British Columbia in the Museum collection. One was taken on Vancouver island in June, 1925, by Miss A. P. McDougall, but no exact locality is given; one at Ricter pass, between Keremeos and Osoyoos in July, 1928, by members of the Museum party; and one at Marron lake, between Penticton and Kere- meos in August, 1930, by Mr. G. N. Gartrell. The specimen from Ricter pass was black above, with yellow dorsal and lateral stripes; dorso-lateral spots of upper series fused, those of lower series separated by red blotches but fused with those of upper series; lateral stripe of each side bordered below by a dark band on first row of scales; ventral surface grayish-green, paler and more yellow anteriorly; a reddish spot covering last superior labial on each side. In the three specimens at hand the dorsal stripe is wide, involving the central and half of each of the adjacent scale rows. The scale counts are given below. wn on wn bel Wn — 5 = & cm 5 n J ‘32 Q eae as 3 s § 5 &— ve “ = ee o © a = A a 3) @ = 9S a re ae o = ee Ww a a nS Pas an > WV) 1458; F 1-1 3-3 7-7 10-10 | 19-18-17) 159 63 1468] F 1-1 4-3 7-7 10-10 | 19-19-17} 163 | 69 2599; M |1-1 3-3 7-7 10-10 | 19-19-27), 166. | °72-- This form is very closely related to parietalis, from which it differs, according to Ruthven (1908, p. 173), only in the increased amount of black pigment and the attendant effect upon the pattern. Mr. J. R. Slevin who identified our specimens informed the writer that as these snakes go northward concinnus reaches further to the eastward. Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis (Say). PRaIRIE GARTER-SNAKE. Previous records from British Columbia: Donald, Hatzic, Kaslo, Nelson, Sicamous, and Vernon. There are two specimens of this form from British Columbia in the Museum collection. One was taken in the Fraser valley in May, 1925, by Miss A. P. McDougall, and one at Princeton in September, 1930, by Mr. G. N. Gartrell. In the latter specimen, in which the colours seem to be fairly well preserved, the ground colour above is black, and the 328 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE dorsal and lateral stripes are yellow; in both specimens the dorso-lateral spots of the upper series are fused, those of the lower series are separated from each other by red blotches but are more or less fused with the upper series; a red spot covers the last superior labial on each side; a dusky stripe along the first scale row; belly greenish yellow. The specimens are nos. 1457, male; and 2600, female. The scale counts are respectively: preoculars 1—1; postoculars 4—4 and 3—3; superior labials 8—8 and 7—7; inferior labials 10—10; dorsal scale rows 19—19—17; ventrals 166 and 158; subcaudals 84 and 75. Thamnophis ordinoides ordinoides (Baird and Girard). PuGEet GARTER-SNAKE.—Previous records from British Columbia: Atnarko, Lillooet River valley and Lund on the mainland; Baynes sound; Alberni valley, Comox lake, Gordon head, Nootka sound at Tahsis canal and Friendly cove, Rupert, Golden Eagle Mine on Mount Saunders, Union bay, and Victoria on Vancouver island. This form is common on Vancouver island, where ten of the fifteen specimens in the Museum collection were taken; the other five were taken on the mainland. Of the Vancouver island specimens, four were taken in June, 1925, by Miss A. P. McDougall, but no exact locality is given; two by Prof. J. R. Dymond in July, 1926, and two by the writer on ns ~ c u 3 2 © oy = | 5 he Z 2 = £8 Shy Sites | be 2 Ee fe | 8 oO is\ ~ os 5 Ss oO wo a S) as o = O a qo S o | ol =n al ah 2S ee eS Ag > n) ee een 1467 | F_ | 2-2 3-3 7-7 8-9 1-17-18.) - 149° 1) ee 1864 | F_ | 2-2 3-3 7-7 9-9 17-17-15 | 185 | 54 TSGG) Pos 22 3-3 7-7 10-10 | 17-19-15 | 146 | 57 tsof 1-2 3-3 8-7 9-9 17-18-15 | 148° | 54 1868 | F | 2-2 3-3 7-7 8-8 17-17-15. | 142 |} 55 PSF iol Bo yt ae 3-3 7-7 9-9 17-19-15. | 1457 |. 57 2243 | F | 2-2 3-3 x-7 x-9 17-19-15 | 151 | 63 2245 | F 1-1 3-3 7-7 9-9 18-19-15 ; 145 | 49 2248 | F 1-1 3-3 7-7 10-9 19-18-17 | 141 | 56 2282 | F | 2-2 3-3 7-7 9-9 17-17-15 | 141 | 56 2598 | F | 2-2 3-3 7-7 9-9 17-17-15 | 148 | 64 VERA E ha cided aie eh eed 144.6 | 56.6 1865 | M_ | 2-2 3-3 8-7 8-8 17-17-15 | 143 | 63 2246 | M | 1-1 3-3 7-7 9-8 17-17-15 | 154 | 59 2247 | M_ | 2-2 3-3 7-7 9-8 18-19-15 | 187 | 61 2283 | M_ | 2-2 3-3 7-7 9-9 17-17-15 | 146 | 63 PAVETAPCL 15% a7 Ssieieoe 3 145 | 61.5 AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 329 in August, 1928, near Nanaimo; one by Mr. H. W. Swaine at Victoria in June, 1929; and one for which there is no collector’s name or exact locality. Of the mainland specimens, two were taken by Miss McDougall in the Fraser valley in 1925, but no exact locality is given; and three were taken by Mr. Kenneth Racey at Vancouver in May, 1929. In the living specimens seen by the writer, the ground colour above ranged from brown or chestnut to olive, sometimes with a series of lateral spots; dorsal and lateral stripes brownish yellow, yellowish or greenish gray, in one specimen they were tinged with blue, in two others the dorsal stripe was tinged with red; a brown stripe on first row of scales; belly yellowish, olive, or gray. The scale counts are tabulated on previous page. Thamnophis ordinoides vagrans (Baird and Girard). WANDERING GARTER-SNAKE.—Previous records from British Columbia: Victoria, Vancouver island. The above record is by Fannin (1898), and appears to be the only one from British Columbia. The writer has questioned it, as vagrans was supposed to be an inland form reaching the western limit of its range in eastern Washington, eastern and central Oregon, and eastern Cali- fornia. But two specimens are at hand from the sea shore at Vancouver, so it seems not impossible that it may be found on Vancouver island also. There are seven specimens of this form in the Museum collection. One was taken at Nicola lake in July, 1928, by Mr. G. N. Gartrell; two at Summerland in 1928 by the Museum party; two at Vancouver in 1929 by Mr. Kenneth Racey; one at Marron lake south of Okanagan lake, and one at Brent’s lake near Summerland, in 1930 by Mr. Gartrell. The specimens seen in life by the writer showed the following colora- e Bob is g © = o e 3 S no 5 n 3 ie 2 ot Q 3 ee ieee are aw $ O pee Oe pee a | vere) carport gis wm Slio| es met aS AS > | PaO! 7 hy 3-3 8-8 10-10 | 21-21-17 | 164 | X 2244.| F |. 11 3-3 8-8 10-10 | 20-21-17 | 160 | 67 2249 | F 2-1 3-3 8-8 10-10 21-21-17 167 73 2399 | F 1-1 4-3 8-8 10-10 20-21-17 167 74 2601 | F ; 1-1 3-3 8-8; 10-10 | 19-21-17 | 158 } xX BMCLASS IG ts niles 163.2 | 71.3 1469 | M} 1-1 3-3 8-8 10-10 | 20-21-17 | 174 | X 2242 | M| 1-1 3-3 8-8 10-10 | 21-21-17 | 168 | 87 330 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE tion: ground colour above brown or olive brown; a light dorsal stripe of soiled yellow or pale brown, and a lateral stripe of the same or somewhat darker colour on the second and third scale row of each side; two series of alternating black spots along each side of dorso-lateral region, the upper series of which encroach on the dorsal stripe. In some specimens, toward the posterior half of the body, these spots become extended transversely into zigzag bands. A series of vertical black spots on bases of scales of first row. Under parts generally dusky; ventrals margined with black laterally on anterior edges, and marbled or heavily blotched with dark slate ventrally; top of head brown, heavily marked with black from eyes backward; pineal spot light; throat pale. In some specimens the light dorsal and lateral stripes are almost obsolete. The scale counts for the above specimens are given on previous page. It will be noticed that in the above seven specimens a preocular formula of 2—2 does not occur, and of 2—1 occurs once, or in approxi- mately fourteen percent. Inaseries of one hundred specimens examined by Van Denburgh and Slevin (1918, pp. 240-245) a preocular formula of 2—2 occurs in thirteen per cent., and of 1—2 in five per cent.? Thamnophis ordinoides biscutatus (Cope). KLAMATH GARTER- SNAKE.— Previous records from British Columbia: Lillooet River valley on the mainland; Vancouver island. There are three specimens in the Museum collection, all taken on Vancouver island; two by Miss A. P. McDougall in June, 1925, for which no exact locality is given, and one by Prof. J. R. Dymond near Nanaimo in July, 1926. This form has not been seen in life by the writer. Van Denburgh (1922, vol. 2, p. 835) describes the coloration as ‘‘not different from that of typical Thamnophis ordinoides vagrans except that the dorso- lateral regions usually are much darker. Because of this, the spots are less evident, but they may usually be made out.’’ It is very close to vagrans. Blanchard (1925, p. x) did not consider it to be more than ‘‘a local emphasis upon a variation widespread in 7. ordinoides vagrans 99, and T. ordinoides ordinoides’”. Van Denburgh and Slevin (1918, pp. 245-251) recognize this form and present a study of it based on two hundred and fifty-two specimens. A preocular formula of 2—2 occurs in sixty-three per cent. of the speci- mens, and a maximum of twenty-three dorsal scale rows in approximately three anda half percent. In one hundred specimens of vagrans (loc. cit. pp. 240-245) studied, a preocular formula of 2—2 occurs in only thirteen 2In the preocular formulae given by Van Denburgh and Slevin the figure written first does not necessarily refer to the left side. AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA ool per cent., the normal being 1—1, and the maximum number of dorsal scale rows noted was twenty-one. The specimens in the Museum collection show the following scale counts. n a - Jue < = = f z o a Bs 3 8 | 2a] 82 qe an ae ZS Elxwl 8 a | aS] 3-8 ue = | 2 melo) ee Oe eel eS Ag ae ae 1869 | M/ 1-2 | 3-3 | 88 | 10-10 | 20-21-17 | 163 | 75 18700 | F 4a say Se. 940° 21-2147 Ete {oer a RR i ey ee = IR We a ime yb A Thamnophis ordinoides elegans (Baird and Girard). Mountain GARTER-SNAKE.—Previous records from British Columbia: Bear lake, Nelson, Rocky Mountain park, Sicamous, and Vernon. The above records are from Ruthven (1908, p. 140), and it should be mentioned that under elegans he included also the forms vagrans and biscutatus which have since been recognized as valid by Van Denburgh Slevin (1918), and are listed by Stejneger and Barbour (1928, pp. 114, 115). The specimen from British Columbia in our collection was examined by Dr. A. G. Ruthven and by Mr. J. R. Slevin, both of whom pronounced it elegans. This form has not been seen in life by the writer. The specimen at hand is a female, and was taken by Miss A. P. McDougall at Lytton in July, 1925. The stripes are obscure; there are two series of alternating dark spots along each side of the back, the upper series of which en- croaches deeply on the dorsal stripe, the spots being coalescent across it anteriorly. The scale counts are as follows: preoculars 1—1, postoculars 3—3, superior labials 8—8, inferior labials 10—10, dorsal scale rows 21—21—17, ventrals 167, subcaudals 68. Crotalus oreganus Holbrook. Paciric RATTLESNAKE.—Previous records from British Columbia: Ashcroft, Cache creek, Okanagan falls, and Vaseaux lake. ; There are six specimens from British Columbia in the Museum collection, and five others still living at the Department of Biology, University of Toronto. These were collected at the following localities: one at Fairview by Miss A. P. McDougall; one at Keremeos by the Museum party; three at Marron lake southwest of Okanagan lake by Mr. G. N. Gartrell; three near Summerland by local residents; one at 7 332 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE Vaseaux lake and one at Westbank by the Museum party; and one at Vernon by Professor G. J. Spencer. In the specimens seen by the writer the ground colour was brown to grayish olive; dorsal blotches brown or greenish brown with darker margins, and becoming very dark on posterior part of body and on tail; ventral surface yellowish white, more or less marked with brownish, especially on anterior edges of ventrals; a wide dark band from eye to angle of mouth, margined above by a narrow light line which is nearly obsolete in some specimens; top of head dark. The measurements and counts of scales and blotches for the six specimens in the Museum collection are given below. n c S i 2 a ° ° u n oO n n E 8 wt vel - ~- 5 = > "e ~~. am ~ a ~ - on 2 ee = he Sie "ae -* - - - - a — as ‘a va J = ~ ~< : — . ae ~ P- arege a * iad ~ Sd = —- 7 . °- - ~~ ei, ee ee F ss - >. a atin 7 - =~. A, sapien ia, ‘ ~ SF me gem ete — ma "AP os « Lo pe a a « * a ~ - see, a ~ ae Se, * jen : a Roe pees ee een eee eee - a a Se a - “-. == a ee an i ae Seen = 7 a eas Oh Rye nye >a, —. ae a Same ea - Se - -—— ee An o~* shee. « Pha wiMe te 0 io Actin ine mpeg - Papeete i a ag a te ae oe 4.4 ee - SS See ae gy SR ar eye Sy Bee . ae ee lie ee ero, - ve “eed ee feng Fis se 2 SO erties se ee ee é 4 z *, ~ — ee KS vee ~ 4 . oo re OE OS wane, 7 “< Wee me c Sek eres, >. iy, Oe en am, TOs Sime : — = biitteneeme> Sites . SO NS