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PENNSYLVANIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
- THE MONTHLY BULLETIN
OF THE
MEV SON OF ZOOLOGY
SG # / [ 7 Lf. ? )
FOR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER. &
VOL. IV. No. 4 and 5. (Combined. )
THE SERPENTS OF PENNSYLVANTA,
issued Monthly from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture,
DIVISION OF ZOULOGY.
ProF. H. A. SURFACE, Economic Zoologist, Editor.
7~=_—_—
September 1, 1906.
ENTERED MAY 1, 1903, AT HARRISBURG, PA., AS SECOND CLASS MATTER, UNDER ACT OF CONGRESS
OF JUNE 6, 1900.
PUBLISHED BY DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.
COPYRIGHTED, 1906, BY H. A. SURFACE, AUTHOR.
Permission to publish extracts is given to all persons who will give proper credit of source.
a ee a
HARRISBURG, PA.:
HARRISBURG PUBLISHING CO., STATE PRINTER.
1906.
THE MONTHLY BULLETIN OF THE DIVISION OF ZOOLOGY
FOR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1906.
Volume IV, Nos. 4 and 5.
% *
Z
Established in April, 1908, at the Office of the Economic Zoologist.
Edited by H. A. Surface, Economic Zoologist, Harrisburg, Pa.
CONTENTS OF THE AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER ISSUE.
Page.
PPR OPAC] S otis ware aiciclels ole! siereleial elo: oe) sforaifel Siete eto rotetatay eyes te eletertel ot shel eels = = tateen eae = 115
AGEMNOWICGETIVCTIES, 0.5.52: an cheieleie:s c10/'s sa /oisie eis) claleiblelallels lela\ateln «ile elvis is! 9/0] »1s/olelatetatstsie’s 117
Class Reptilia. The Reptiles, 2.0... ...0..0c0ccsccceccecscvocreecesesccse ce 118
Order I. Ophidia, The Ophidians or Serpents, ...................-.+-.-- 118
(Oyaieitobenne Mihaela SM ORAAOR Goood CUC dob CoDnEocodosobedc.o30s050 on do0 adunaD coc: 118
@ucerFaGts),. Yee sevice « ticlevere eisrcie tie istele sts alele clei 0! ote atejetate’a;oha lon olohetnl Wetebelns’e\(e's Yoretaterte 123
Moltine or Shedding, and (Color, 7.) ccc «isc croton sarae ooo ctelenapera eledeataia'=!s a) ee iayty 125
How. Sake! Weeds ei, ies elaanealeveveie -b aiosavelareele oisvole ie uclotsotete o/arntaveliel elas felera poms Stag cle: atarelcrs 125
Eo wa Snialices: *o Ramm?” Ors NGOW. C5 ote crocs. 2) rateiersiaieiel shetietalols |e a) «sie «tafeeemetataleentetabntercl avers 4 ete 126
FTV SAIC S) LY | Hee Ss ew feloslaar opel anole: s1s\-aterte otis foiejsito s totasace tetote (a/o] tebe otaranrepeyateterens (nies fot 126
Remedies! form Snakes Babes Foc erste ois! otetets cee: iso siete. « s/ pucketecttale eel cote teyeteueteye ieee etraers tates Wari
Key to the Pennsylvania Families of Ophidians, ....................-.-. 129
Family Colubride. The Colubrine or Constricting Serpents, ........... 129
Key to the Species’ of Colubrine Snakes in Pennsylvania, ............... 129
(a). Systematic Structural Wey Fae cinsececicisiss ciate es 'a'e, uetapelalialelel eleteteyaisiele/oleyeneist=is tener 129
(ib) ‘Simiple Struct! Wey occ ratsicp nn oe ays ovei eyo) cinielaio aie eee luteiebedetsls olelolle! ole tetoistateretate 130
(on Va O60) ay ele Sen an MIN aan ac NOGARO OUD TC OSCOO Cero Sbo¢oédosnssonaye.s gievtecete 131
Braplanatiom Of sOOC\CHAGES,, sates sletetece: «= eletele)oleteteteteletel stele ete eter eter elainielaialeveverete state 134
DISCUSSION! Dy (SPEClES scare eciectiete wlere cla (clase omtaiele a) Slat cloves! steteel a! ateiale' st otevetetelinteerolateteletars 134
1. Carphophiops amcenue (Say). Ground Snake, -. .....0.te.ccsccceee 134
> Virginia valerie B&G. Vialeriavs Smee ean ctaleinis/ leletletatapiateetn setete 135
® Haldea striatula (G.).. Brown Snake, oo. .ccae ce see aa a= seienre ole ciaieteiain 135
4. Storeria occipitomaculata (Storer). Red-bellied Snake, .............. 136
5. Storeria dekayi (Holb). DeKay’s Snake or Rock Snake, ............. 138
6. Clonophis kirtlandi (Kenn.). Little Red Snake, 7.2.) tees. +. cise 140
7. Thamnophis sauritus: (a). Ribbon) Sualkkety pecs tite steele ieee 141
8. Thamnophis sirtalis (L.). Common Garter Snake, ......02..-sccccese 143
8a. Thamnophis sirtalis 'parietalis (L.). Striped Garter Snake, 144
8b. Thamnophis sirtalis ordinatus (L.). Spotted Garter Snake, ........ 144
8c. Thamnophis sirtalis dorsalis. Spotted-and-Striped Snake, 144
9. Rervina rigida (Say). Rigid Queen Smale. niyo aw erecine slevem ele es atetpetre 150
10. Regina leberis (L.). Queen Snake or Striped Water Snake, ......... 150
ts Natrix ‘sipedon (L.). Water Smale): sobs. citi(s lenis ells stisiotalsieiecs een 152
12; Gallopeltis: obsoletus ((CG.). “Pilot Smaies igs cisiscvcln ciatete eve etoleteia orate 157
13. Callopeltis vulpinos (8B: & Gs). Fox Snakce,) 2. sei scar see coieisistsls setts 161
14; Opheodrys cestivus (1), ‘Green (Snakes casio cs -cnkissicss os smeltien:. een 162
15. Liopeltis vernalis (DeKay). Grass Snake, oi.cGiics veces veieclse + «6 ceuleiae 164
16. Bascanion’ constrictor (L.); Black Snakes vscacn sn cetiewietn + cones 166
17. Pituophis melanoleucus (Daudin). Pine or Bull Snake, ............... 171
18. Diadophis punctatus (L.). Ring-necked Snakes ciis css se. «cules eee 171
19. Lampropeltis getulus sayi (Holb.). King Snake, ................«0s. 174
20. Lampropeltis doliatus trianulus (Boie). House or Milk Snake, .... 174
21. Heterdon platirhinos (Latr.). Spreading Adder or Blowing Viper,.. 180
Family Crotalidze: The Rattlesnakes and Copperheads, ..............+. 185
22. Key to Species of Family Crotalidae, asic satecsic cles nia. sels smal euentene ston 186
22. Agkistrodon contortrix (L.). Copperhead Snake, ........sescseeseeees 186
23. Sistrurus catenatus (Rafin.). Rattlesnake, Prairie, ................ 199
24, Crotalus horridus (L.). Rattlesnake, Common, wi. c.snecssewstaue vir 191
Table of Stomach Contents of Pennsylvania Snakes, ........seccesecevees 198
Detnition of Terms) Usedy5 cea. 5 pleut aiowisc vi sinc civic ere cinue isin erei AIS Ulin Sa ies 202
List of Specimens Received During June, 1906, ......c..ssnccccccccevecsees 203
(114 )
PREFACE.
This Bulletin is issued as a Preliminary Report upon the Snakes
of Pennsylvania, with special reference to their Food and Eco-
nomic Features. It is designed thore as a popular treatise upon
this subject than as a deep scientific production. Owing to the
fact that we could obtain but a few specimens of many of the
species of serpents here discussed, and in many cases their stomachs
were entirely empty, it is impossible to issue at this time a Report
sufficiently full to be called Complete or Final. We are therefore
continuing our investigations with all possible care, and as soon
as we have sufficient material to justify it, we intend to publish a
Second Report, which will contain many scientific features not given
in this Preliminary Report. For example, there has been much
confusion with the various scientific names for the same species of
reptile, and to avoid this our Second Report will contain a full list
of synonyms or different scientific names used, as well as biblio-
graphy or reference to the literature upon the various species dis-
cussed. It will also contain full scientific and popular descriptions
of the different species of serpents found in this State, with illus-
trations of each, and detailed discussions of the variations actually
found in a study of the different specimens from the different parts
of the State, in comparison with typical specimens and descriptions.
This local variation is of considerabie interest to the student of
species, and will be of great value to scientists as well as to others.
It could not be put into this Preliminary Report, because we did
not have enough specimens to justify drawing final deductions.
The Second Report will also contain as much as can be obtained
from various observers and correspondents upon the haunts and
habits of reptiles of this State, and will especially contain larger
tables and charts concerning their food and breeding habits. More
material is needed to advance these studies. We desire notes or
written reports of observations, as well as specimens.
A copy of the Preliminary Report has been promised and is here-
with sent to each person who has prior to its publication, sent us
one or more specimens or serpents, turtles, lizards, frogs, toads or
salamanders. It is hoped that all our obligations are herewith met
in full. Persons desiring a copy of the Complete Report are re-
quested to send us more specimens to aid in its completion. These
(115 )
116
should be killed and sent by express at our expense or when pack-
ages are small by mail, for which postage will be refunded. A copy
of the Report will be sent free to each person aiding our investiga-
tions by sending us written reports or specimens. The date of is-
sue of the next Report will depend upon the number of specimens re-
ceived. All persons desiring it are invited to contribute further
specimens or written observations.
H. A. SURFACE,
State Zoologist.
Harrisburg, Pa.
iMag
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
In this Bulletin recognition should be made of the very valuable
services rendered by my Assistants, especially Mr. Alfred F. Sat-
terthwait, of Chester county, Clerk in the office of the Economic
Zoologist. Mr. W. R. McConnell, Indiana county, Assistant, ana
Mr. P. H. Hertzog, of Lancaster county, Assistant, have taken great
interest in this subject and have rendered valuable help that was
essential in working out the details of this Bulletin. To the intelli-
gent and indefatigable industry of Mr. Satterthwait, my clerk for
more than a year, much credit is due.
We wish also to recognize the generosity and help that was given
us by Mr. W. H. Fisher, 1818 Bolton street, Baltimore, Md., who
contributed many of the excellent photographs of the living speci-
mens which are used in making the plates for the Bulletin, and which
give it an added interest.
We should also acknowledge the free use that has been made of
the “Manual of Vertebrate Animals of the Northern United States,”
by President David Starr Jordan, and such literature as the publi-
cation of “Reptiles of Allegheny County, Pa.,” by D. A. Atkinson,
in the Annals of Carnegie Museum, Vol. I, and the Report of the
Amphibians and Reptiles of New Jersey, by Dr. Witmer Stone,
Philadelphia Academy of Science, in the American Naturalist for
March, 1906, and other literature which will be cited in detail in
the Second Report.
Acknowledgment should also be made of the assistance of such
persons as Dr. Witmer Stone, Philadelphia, Mr. D. A. Atkinson,
Carnegie Museum, Dr. R. L. Walker, of Carnegie, Pa., and others.
Special mention should be made of the industry and skill of Mr.
sv. R. Walton, the artist in our office, who has taken an unusual
interest in this subject and has been at great pains to have the
charts and drawings which were made by him exactly accurate in
all their details.
H. A. S.
118
CLASS REPTILIA. THE REPTILES.
A Reptile may be defined as a cold-blooded Vertebrate, breathing
air all its life, never having gills, never using the oxygen in water,
with a three-chambered heart, one condyle or lump on the base
of the skull, and body covered with scales or plates. Strictly speak-
ing they are not cold-blooded but are of the temperature of the
surrounding air or water or objects on which they are found. Ex.
periments in our office, with thermometers inserted in the throats
of the reptiles, have shown that the temperature of the animals
does not vary much from that of their surroundings.
There are three Orders of Reptiles represented in the State of
Pennsylvania, which may be distinguished by the following Analytic
Key:
A. Legs not developed. Order I. Ophidia. The Serpents.
AA. Four legs developed.
B. Body elongate, covered with small scales, teeth present.
Order II. Lacertilia. The Lizards.
BB. Body shorter, broad, enclosed in a shell; no teeth. Order
III. Chelonia. The Turtles.
(N. B. The Lizards and Turtles of Pennsylvania will be discussed
in a future Bulletin. Many more specimens are desired. H. A. 8.)
ORDER I. OPHIDIA. THE SERPENTS.
Serpents are animals which in their structure show by degra-
dation, a highly specialized type or condition, and yet they are per-
fectly adapted to the apparently lowly life they lead.
Ignorance, mythology and superstition have combined to surround
them with an atmosphere of dread. It is not only superstition
but also ignorance and unnecessary fear which have rendered it
impossible for many persons to study them carefully. As a con-
sequence there are no other group of animals in this State concern-
ing which there is so much fear and ignorance, and toward which
there is so much cruelty almost uniformly shown in a relentless and
unjust warfare.
Among the myths, fallacies or folk lore of serpents current in
some parts of this State are the following:
1. Snakes sting with their tongues.
2. Snakes charm birds and people.
3. The green serpents are venomous.
119
4. There is such a creature as a Hoop Snake, which rolls like a
hoop.
5. There is a Horn Snake, with a venomous horn at the end of
its tail.
6. Snakes are blind once per month, and regularly during “dog
days.”
7. Snakes molt or shed their skin each month.
8. Serpents can blow out or spit poison.
9. Snakes chase and attack people without provocation.
10. Serpents and other reptiles are slimy.
11. Certain kinds of snakes milk or suck cows.
12. When snakes are killed the tails do not die until the sun goes
down or until it thunders.
13. Kill a snake and turn it over to bring rain.
14. Snakes spring or jump from the ground at their victims.
15. Snakes strike from a truly coiled position.
16. When a firearm is pointed at the snake the reptile draws its
own bead and it is impossible to miss it or shoot it anywhere but
in the head.
17. The yellow rattlers are females and the black, males.
18. A snake can be made to put out its legs by dropping it into
fire.
19. Snakes lose their venom by being deprived of water for six
days or more.
*20. Snakes are supposed to have medicinal properties as follows:
(a) Galls of snakes recommended for their bite.
(b) Their oil for rheumatism, baldness and deafness.
(c) Their skin worn for rheumatism and stiffness.
(d) A snake heart, oil or blood for consumption or other ills.
(e) Its flesh to be eaten for blood disorders or other trou-
bles.
(f) A second bite of the same snake in the same place to
cure or counteract its first bite.
(g) The rattles of snakes as charms.
(h) Other parts of serpents for various cures, preventives or
charms.
The myths concerning serpents are numerous, and new bits of
local folk lore of reptiles come to us every week. For example,
it is a popular belief that snakes sting with the tongue. This may
be due to the Scriptural expression, “stingeth like an adder.” The
Scripture did not say the stinging is done by the tongue, or is
not done by the tooth, and the reader at once infers that the
tongue is the stinging organ, and thus falls into a serious error.
*Since this Bulletin was set in type we have heard of the common belief that Snakes, Lizards,
Frogs, Salamanders, etc., live in the human stomach. After many efforts this belief can not
be verified, and we consider it a decided error.—H. A. S.
120
The tongue of the snake is its organ of touch, taste and perhaps
in part also of smell, and possibly even of hearing. It is by this
that it investigates the objects immediately around it. When it
is seen to stick out its tongue it is making a critical inquiry of the
surrounding objects and is not attempting to sting anything.
It is also popularly believed that snakes have the power to charm
birds and the lower animals and even mankind, but with the most
careful investigation, we can not find satisfactory evidences of the
truth of this. It is true that some creatures, such as birds, and
even some persons, become so terrified at suddenly seeing a snake
that they act more or less helpless but this is quite different from
being charmed.
Another common error is the belief that the green snakes are
venomous because they are supposed to be filled with a poison that
makes them look green. Of the three or four species of green snakes
to be found in this State not one is of a dangerous type.
The old story of the Hoop Snake, which is supposed to take its
tail in its mouth and roll down hill like a hoop, striking dead any-
thing into which that venomous horn may fly, is very common but
entirely without any foundation of truth. No specimen of Hoop
Snake has been collected, notwithstanding an offer of a reward of
$500.00 for one. Persons who believe such things have not consid-
ered that this habit would result in bringing all such reptiles down
into the valleys where they must be found, as they would be unable
to roll up hill again. Who will say he has seen a Hoop Snake
rolling?
The Horned-snake is andther myth, and although it has formed
the basis for many newspaper stories, it has no truth. While there
is a snake to which there is given the name of “The Horned Snake,”
it is quite harmless, and there is no such reptile as the mythological
creature with a poisoned horn in the end of its tail, which it is able
to stick into living objects, even trees, causing death or even milder
injury, which is dn absurd story frequently published. We shall
pay well for specimens of Hoop Snakes or Horn Snakes.
No snakes are able to eject, throw or “spit” poison, nor by their
blowing or hissing are they able to blow any poison or venom
upon their victims. This is generally believed, notwithstanding the»
acts to the contrary.
A common error is the term “slimy,” applied to serpents and
other reptiles. Snakes are not slimy, nor are their bodies naturally
moist, being covered with dry scales. One of the easily recognized
differences between Lizards, which are Reptiles, and Salamanders,
which are Amphibians, is that the latter are slimy and the former
are not.
Another common belief is that the constricting species of ser-
,
121
pents wrap themselves around the necks of human beings and
choke them. AIl stories of this kind, so far as we have been able
to learn by the most careful investigation, are the results of active
imaginations. Even the stories of snakes chasing people are, as a
rule, generally exaggerated. It is true that blacksnakes will some-
times pursue timid persons who have disturbed them. That seems
to be one of Nature’s bluffs however, as the same reptiles will turn
tail and depart in the most vigorous manner possible, when the
pursued person has the courage to turn on it. Even if they do chase
a person, they will not overtake nor attack him.
Among the myths must be classed the common belief that snakes
milk or suck cows. This feat is not possible, and in our honest
opinion never was performed. A recent newspaper article gave
the name of a Connecticut farmer who was reported as having seen
the Milk Snake sucking his cattle. We wrote to him for details,
and he replied “A reporter lied about me.”
How common is the absurd belief that a snake’s tail does not
die until sundown or until it thunders! When we were at home
with the country boys we firmly believed with them that to kill a
snake and turn it upside down would bring rain. Who knows other
beliefs of this kind which they are willing to mail to us for our col-
lection of literary curiosities?
Another popular erroneous belief is that snakes jump or spring
from the ground at their victims. No snake is able to jump or
spring but merely strikes from its zigzag coil, which is like the
letter “S” placed horizontally. It can then only reach the distance
that it is able to strike out from this double curve, which is rarely
more than half the length of its body, and probably never more than
three-fourths of its total length. No snake springs clear from the
ground as it strikes, and none jumps through the air to its victim,
although occasionally the blow may be delivered with such force
as to turn the reptile over.
It is also believed by some persons that serpents coil in a regular
manner, like the coil of a rope, and strike from such a coil. We
have seen mounted specimens and drawings representing snakes
coiled like a rope and ready to strike at their supposed victims, but
these do not represent the truth. If a serpent should attempt to
strike from a uniform coil, like a pile of rope, it would be obliged
to turn over as many times as it was coiled, in order to make a
straight line to the intended victim. While reptiles do coil par-
tially, they keep the front part of the body free for striking from
a zigzag or horizontal letter “S” position. It should also be remem-
bered that no serpent can strike while stretched out or in an ex-
tended position.
122
A common belief is that when a gun or pistol is pointed toward
a snake, the reptile puts its head in such a position as to draw the
“bead” or line of sight to its own head, and thus it is thought to
be impossible to shoot at a serpent which sees the weapon without
hitting it. This is false, as we have seen demonstrated. Also it
is commonly said that it is impossible to shoot a snake in any
part excepting the head, on account of the common belief that the
eye of the reptile keeps in line with the sites of the weapon. We
have known where rattlers and other serpents have been shot
through the body and not through the head, and this proves the
error of another myth.
It is also commonly said that the yellow color of the Rattle
Snake denotes a female individual, while the black color always
indicates a male. Our dissections have proven that this is not
always the case, although these colors appear to predominate or
be more common in each sex respectively.
From ancient times until the present there has been a common
saying that snakes can be made to throw out their legs by dropping
them into a fire. This is purely a myth and without any other foun-
dation than the probability that the sudden contraction of the.
muscles of the body may force out certain internal organs.
We have recently ‘earned that there is a common saying in the
northern part of the State that if a rattle snake or a copper head
be deprived of water for six days they will lose their venom, or in
other words their poison becomes ineffective. There is no truth in
this for the tendency would be to make the poison stronger rather
than less efficient.
There is a general belief in the medicinal qualities of certain
parts of snakes. It is enough to say that these are founded in
superstition, and that no part of any serpent has any medicinal
value. Nevertheless we frequently hear of a person recommending
such remedies as the gall of a snake for snake bite; its oil for
rheumatism, baldness and deafness; and its skin to be worn like
the skin of an eel for similar troubles. It is a remarkable fact
that in some parts of this State the oil of snakes has a very high
commercial value for its supposed curative qualities. It is thought
to be a sovereign remedy for deafness, but there is no reason why
this is any better than any other oil. We have recently learned
of the heart of a Rattle Snake being swallowed while fresh for
consumption, and the flesh and blood have been recommended for
certain ills. It is also generally believed, not only in America but
in other parts of the earth that if a snake can be made to bite a
second time in the same place it will, by so doing, cure the ills
inflicted by its first bite. This is, of course, nonsense, as are the
123
other superstitious beliefs and quack remedies above outlined. No
snake and no part of any snake has any curative or medicinal quality
whatever, and persons who trust in them are doing so at the peril
of their own welfare.
We recently learned that a family in Lancaster county took a
long journey into Schuylkill county to obtain the oil of a rattle
snake to mix with whiskey as a remedy for consumption. In this
particular instance the person who was afflicted with the disease
did not recover, and this is a proof of the ineffectiveness of such
quack remedies.
Queer Facts.
1. Some serpents swallow their young for temporary protection.
2. Some snakes play “possum,” or act dead, as a means of de-
fense.
3. Some snakes lay eggs; others bear young.
4. Fangs of serpents are renewed ar grow in again after being
extracted.
5. The young Black Snake is gray and spotted and often mis-
taken for the Spotted Adder, Water Snake or Copperhead.
6. Snakes can live a year or more without food.
7. Serpents often eat one another.
8. Some species of snakes are beneficial as insect-eaters and
others as destroyers of mice and other obnoxious rodents (mice,
rats, etc.).
9. Two-headed snakes aré not uncommon.
10. Snakes and other reptiles are not “cold-blooded,” but are the
temperature of their surroundings.
Concerning serpents there are many things that are true which
are as interesting, and in fact as marvelous, as the many myths
that are generally accepted. Among these is the fact that some
snakes are known to swallow their young for temporary protection,
as has been observed and reported to us by several reliable persons.
While we have not been so fortunate as to have observed this per-
sonally, yet we can not deny that certain species of snakes afford
temporary refuge in time of danger to their own young, which
run down the throat of the parent. It is not known as yet just
what species or kinds of snakes have this habit and what do not,
but it is known to be true of the Garter Snake and probably also
of the Water Snake. Prof. W. L. MacGowan, superintendent of the
schools of the city of Warren, reported to us that he had seen a
Garter Snake swallow her young for protection no less than four
times in his life, and an Erie county school teacher reported that
an old Garter Snake with her family of young lived under a bank
124
on the hill near the school house and nearly every day at noon
some of the pupils would go up the hill and frighten the old Garter
Snake to see the young ones run down her throat. She would then
go into a hole and no doubt permit them to escape at once from their
living cell.
Professor MacGowan said that in those which he had observed
the young remained in the body of the parent about five minutes.
It is probable that this habit is confined mostly, if not entirely, to
those species of serpents which bear young rather than reproduce
by laying eggs. We wish to make further observations along this
line and consequently request readers to send us for dissection
recently killed specimens of all kinds that may be suspected of
1aving swallowed their young for protection.
Few people know that the Hog-nosed Adder or Blowing Viper
has the habit of acting dead or “playing possum” when it thinks
there is no other means of escape. This peculiarity is described
more at length in one of the following pages.
It does not appear to be generally known that the fangs of ser-
pents when pulled or drawn to render them harmless, will develop
and become dangerous again within a few weeks after pulling. , [f
these be drawn, others will grow again, and this will be repeated
several times. It is lack of this knowledge which sometimes results
in injury for persons who have pulled the fangs of venomous ser-
pents and then considered themselves safe to keep them as pets for
some time,
There is a great variation in the colors of snakes, and but few
persons know that the young Black Snake is light in color and spot-
ted with gray in such a manner as to be mistaken frequently for
the Spotted Adder or House Snake and sometimes for young Cop-
perheads.
The fact that serpents are able to live a year or even more with-
out food is demonstrated in a specimen of Copperhead which we
have recently received and which before being sent to us was kept
for a year and three months without eating any of the food that
was offered to it. It is also interesting to know that snakes are
cannibals, as some kinds at times devour individuals of other spe-
cies.
In the text books, snakes and other reptiles are called cold-
blooded and there is a common impression that they are truly so,
but the fact is that these animals are the temperature of their sur-
roundings. We have tested this several times recently with a
thermometer and can say that ‘the temperature of such serpents
does not differ from that of its surroundings where it has remained
long enough to become of the same temperature.
. 125
Molting or Shedding, and Color.
It is often believed that snakes go blind during dog days, and
that they are blind once each month at the least, and that molting
or casting off the skin occurs each month, etc. There is just enough
truth in this belief to keep it in existence. Snakes do molt or cast
off the epidermis, or outer skin which becomes dry or hard, and
without being shed or cast off the owner could not grow. This
molting is generally not more than two or three times a year and
depends on the rate of growth of the reptile, which, in turn, depends
upon the supply of food. At such times the clear glassy cuticle
which passes over the eye, without an opening, becomes loosened
from the eye.and assumes a milky appearance. It is then that the
snake is temporarily blind but only for a short time.
The color of snakes varies greatly, even in the same species and
depends more upon the stage of molting than upon anything else.
The snake which has recently shed its skin has very bright colors,
and as it becomes older it becomes darker and duller in appearance.
This molting take place by the outer skin becoming loosened around
the lips and turning backward inside out. Sometimes the entire
“skin,” or epidermis, is left whole or unbroken. However, at the
tip of the tail, around the eyes, and around the mouth, can be seen
very plain evidences that it has been turned inside out in the
process of shedding. This provides not only for a new coat but
especially for the growth of the former wearer.
How Snakes Feed.
The method of feeding is very peculiar and interesting, as they
frequently swallow objects which are much larger around than them-
selves. They are the only creatures which are able to do this. This
possibility is due to their being provided with an extra bone called
the Quadrate bone, hinging between the upper and lower jaws,
which makes it possible for the mouth to open to an extreme extent,
while the lower jaw itself will separate at the front edge by spread-
ing sidewise, allowing the jaws to spread open in two directions
when necessary. In capturing their prey, some species, known as
the constrictors, squeeze it until it is killed and then proceed to
swallow it. Others strike their food and hold it, and by an imper-
ceptible movement of the jaws they gradually work it around so they
can swallow it lengthwise. Some species of the poisonous reptiles
may strike their prey with the poison fangs and thus kill it before
eating, but when it is possible they avoid wasting the venom and
do not kill their food by poison before eating. It should here be
added that the venom of the two venomous species in this State,
126 ;
the Rattle Snake and the Copperhead, is not an internal poison, or
is not injurious if taken inwardly (unless an internal scratch should
let it into the blood), and its fearful effects occur only when the
poison is injected into the blood system.
Some of the serpents which kill their prey before eating, cover
it with a slime before swallowing, if it be of large size. We know
definitely of snakes covering rabbits with slime before attempting
to swallow them. It is probable that only those animals which are
covered with hair or feathers, or are very dry, like the toad, are thus
treated before they are swallowed.
How Snakes ‘“‘Run” or Move.
A serpent literally walks on the ends of its ribs. That is to say,
the ribs are jointed to the back bone, and as they extend down
over each side of the body their ends are in connection with the
ventral plates, which have projecting edges at their rear margins.
As these plates hold to the objects beneath the animal its body
is brought forward upon the supporting and movabie ribs. In this
method of locomotion is to be found the explanation of why snakes
can not run on smooth glass nor upon such objects as brussels
carpet. Glass is so smooth that the ventral plates are unable to
hold to it, and after they have been thrown forward the animal
can not carry itself along. In attempting to crawl on brussel
carpet the surface of which is composed of small upright stiff
threads, the piling springs backward by the pressure of the ventral
plates when the reptile attempts to move itself forward, and it
thus fails to find a leverage, just as upon the smooth glass,
Do Snakes Lay Eggs?
This is a question commonly asked, the answer to which many
persons do not understand. It is known that some species of ser-
pents lay eggs, as farmers often plow them up and upon opening
them they find the embryonic snake within the leathery covering.
The eggs of the same species vary in size and shape, but are almost
always oval in outline, and covered with a thick, soft, pliable, light-
colored leathery membrane. As a rule, it is the constricting snake,
or those which kill their prey by squeezing it, that lay eggs. How-
ever, there are other species of snakes that bear living young, or
more strictly, give birth to young which are enveloped in a very
thin membrane at the time they are born, and thus their method
of reproduction is to be compared to the laying of an egg which
hatches the time it is laid. The egg-laying species are called
oviparous, and those species that bear living young are called ovovi-
127
viparous. Scientists make a distinction between those animals bear-
ing living young which represent the laying of an egg that hatches
at the time it is laid, and those bearing young which have been
nourished by direct connection with the circulatory system of the
parent. An animal with the former method of reproducing the
young is called ovoviviparous. In this the embryo or undeveloped
young is nourished by a yolk within the thin membrane, and this
embryo remains and develops until the yolk is all absorbed, when
it is practically hatched and born at the same time. There is no
vital nourishing connection as in the case of the viviparous animal,
such as the mammals or hairy quadrupeds. With this exp'anation
we can say that snakes are oviparous or ovoviviparous, and are not
to be called viviparous, although bearing living young. In this
State no reptile produces more than one brood of young per year.
The oviparous or egg-laying species, as a rule, produce many more
offspring in a brood than do the ovoviviparous species of the same
size. One reason for this is that with the latter the young are much
larger than the eggs would be, and occupy a great deal more space.
Thus, in making provision for the increased size of the undeveloped
young, the only thing that nature can do is to reduce the number.
The relationship, which we believe only general, but of which we
have seen no published statement, is that most of the oviparous or
egg-laying species of serpents belong to the constricting group,
which kill ther prey by squeezing it; while most of the ovovivi-
parous serpents are species which take their prey with their mouths,
and do not kill by constricting. The explanation for this may be
that if the serpents of the latter group should exert pressure suffi-
cient to kill their victims it would also crush the embryos or unde-
veloped snakes, which are protected only by a thin membrane. Thus
the constrictors, like the Black Snakes, lay eggs that are covered
with thick protecting membranes, which are soon laid, and the em-
bryos of which are not injured by the pressure which is often needed
for the parents to kill their prey.
Remedies for Snake Bites.
Remedies for snake bites are of considerable importance, as it must
be remembered that two venomous snakes, the Copperhead and the
Rattler, are abundant in certain parts of this State, and even during
this summer there have been reports of human beings dying from
the bites of rattlers as well as copperheads within the Common-
wealth of Pennsylvania. We haye verified these reports by corres-
pondence and must recognize their accuracy.
When a person is bitten by a venomous snake the first thing to do
is to place a ligature as tightly as possible between the wound
128
and the heart to keep the poison from being carried to the heart
in the circulatory system. This can often be done by tearing some
article of clothing into strips, tying it tightly around the bitten
member between the bite and the heart, and twisting it as tightly as
possible with a stick put through the band of ligature. The next
step is to suck or squeeze out all the poison possible. This is greatly
aided by opening the wound with a knife or other sharp instrument.
The third step is to rub permanganate of potash into the wound.
This is the best possible remedy for snake bites, and in places
where venomous snakes are found permanganate of potash should
be at hand ready for immediate use by any one who is exposing
himself to their attacks. It is well for persons on fishing or berrying
expeditions, or on outings, to carry with them some of this ma-
terial, which is very inexpensive, and is easily carried wrapped in
paper. No evil effects to the human system will come from using
too much of it, and thus it is perfectly safe in the hands of an
unskilled person. The fourth and last step in the treatment of
snake bites it to give a good heart stimulant, the best of which is the
injection of one-twentieth of a grain of strychnia. Most cases of
death or serious results from snake bites are due to the effects of
the poison on the heart, and this is why whisky is so often regarded
as a sovereign remedy. It is entirely wrong for a person who is
bitten by a venomous snake to fill himself with whisky and expect
this to be the only remedy necessary. In most cases it may be a
decided help, but it should be a last resort rather than a first.
Wherever it is possible the services of a physician should be secured,
although the treatment mentioned above should be given as far as
possible as soon as the poison has been injected. It is useless to
depend upon some of the reputed remedies, such as the gall of the
snake taken internally, or a second bite by the same snake at the
same place, or powwows of any kind. Prompt action and common
sense will do more to prevent evil effects from snake bites than
anything else.
We wish here to call attention to the idiotic practice of some per-
sons who try to be smart by frightening others with snakes,
whether they be dead or alive, harmless or otherwise. Severe pun-
ishment should be administered to the boy who attempts to frighten
others, especially girls, with snakes however small or harmless
they may be. While the fear of snakes is generally based on igno-
rance, we should respect the feelings of others and remember that
serious results may come from being thus frightened. One example
should be enough to put an end to this practice forever. Some
years ago some school children were playing in a school yard near
the centre of this State and the boys found a small snake. There
JF 20
26 Drawn & lettered by
Will, R~Wollon
NARA SIrPEDON
PLATE XV.—Showing Structural Characters Used in the Classification of Serpents, as Illustrated by the
Spotted Water Snake (Natrix sipedon).
1, Rostral plate; 2, Internasal plates; 3, Prefrontal plates; 4, Frontal plate; 5, Occipital plates; 6, Anterior
nasal plates; 7, Post nasal plates; 8, Loral plates; 9, Preorbital plates; 10, Upper postorbital plate; ile
Middle postorbital plate; 12 Superciliary plates; 13, Lower postorbital plate; 14, Temporal plates; 15, Upper
post temporal plates; 16, Lower !post temporal plates; 17, Upper labial plates; 18, Mental plate; 19, Lower
labial plates; 20, Anterior inframaxiliary plates; 21, Posterior inframaxiliary plates; 22, Scales, or “Dorsal
Scales;’’ 23, Gastrosteges, or ‘Ventral Plates;” 24, Urosteges or “Tail Plates;” 25, Anal plate (Divided);
26, Keels on scales; 27, Eyes; 28, Nostril. Natural Sise. Drawn in the office of the Economic Zoologist.
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129
was one boy in the group who was inexpressibly afraid of such
creatures, and to tease him the boys threw it at him. It wrapped
itself around the neck of the timid boy, while he fell to the ground
in a faint. It was regarded for a moment as a great joke, but as
the boy did not recover readily it became more serious. That boy
is to-day a raving maniac in one of the insane asylums of Pennsyl-
vania. He was at one time a bright and happy boy, and had it not
been for the thoughtlessness of his companions he might have been
to-day a most useful citizen instead of a man with dethroned reason.
KEY TO PENNSYLVANIA FAMILIES OF THE ORDER OPHIDIA.
A. No pit between the eye and nostril; pupil of eye circular; no erectile fang
nor poison gland in upper jaw; plates under tail divided by a middle line;
body generally slender and tail long. Family 1. Colubridz. Colubrine or
Constricting Snakes.
AA. Pit between the eye and nostril; pupil of eye vertically elliptical; erectile
fangs with poison glands in each upper jaw; plates under tail (urosteges)
not divided by.line, but extending clear across; body always heavy and
tail always short. Family 2. Crotalide. The Rattle Snakes and Copper-
heads. (Page 185.)
Family 1. Colubr'daw. Tne Colubrine or Constricting Snakes.
This is the family to which all serpents of this State belong except
the Rattle Snake and the Copperhead, which belong to the Crotalide.
(Page 175). The Colubrine Serpents, ov members of this Family, can
be known by (a) entire absence of the perforated fangs, (b) only solid
teeth present in the upper jaw, (c) no poison or poison glands, (d) the
subcaudal plates (urosteges) arranged in pairs by being divided along
the middle line under the tail by a line or suture, (e) no pit between
the eye or nostril, (f) the pupil of the eye always circular in shape,
and (g) the tail always as large as the length of the body.
They do not all attack their prey by constricting or squeezing,
but all the constrictors belong here. It is a large family, with over
700 known species, found in nearly all parts of the world. There
are about 21 species of this family to be found in this State. Some
of them are oviparous, and some ovoviviparous, or bear young
nourished by a yolk enclosed in a thin membrane. The habits of
each will be discussed in turn under its own specific name.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF COLUBRIDAD OR COLUBRINE SNAKES IN
PENNSYLVANIA.
(a). SYSTEMATIC STRUCTURAL KEY.
1. Head not distinct from body, which iscylindrical and rather rigid. 2.
Head more or less distinct from body, which is not especially rigid. 3.
2. Scales in 13 rows; Nasal single. No.1. Carphophiops amenus(Say). Page 133.
Scales in 15 rows; Nasals two. No. 2. Virginia valerie (B. & G.) Plate XY.
8. Rostral plate normal, not recurved nor keeled. 4.
Rostral plate long, upturned. No. 21. Heterodon plativhinus (Latr.) Page 180,
9
130
4. Anal plate divided. 5.
Anal plate not divided. 17.
5. Dorsal scales keeled more or less. 6.
Dorsal scales not keeled. 15.
6. Nostril between two nasal plates. 7.
Nasal single, pierced by nostril. 14.
7. Prefrontals two. 8.
Prefrontal single. No. 3. Haldea striatula, (L.) Plate XV.
8. Loral plate present. 9.
Loral plate absent. 13.
9. Scales on back and sides all keeled. 10.
Scales on sides not all keeled. 12.
10. Scales 19 to 21 rows.
Scales in 23 rows. No. 11. Natrix sipedon (L.) Page 152.
11. Without yellow lateral stripe; lower row of scales smooth. No. 9. Reginia
rigida (Say). Page 150.
With yellow lateral stripe; Scales all keeled. No. 10. Reginia leberis (L.)
Page 150.
12. Scales in 27 rows. No. 12. Callopeltis obsoletus (Say). Page 157.
Seales in 25 rows. No. 13. Callopeltis vulpinus (B. & G.) Page 161.
13. Seales in 15 rows. No. 4. Storeria occipitomaculata. (Storer). Page 136.
Scales in 17 rows. No. 5. Storeria dekayi (Holbr.) Page 138.
14. Scales in 19 rows. No. 6. Clonophis kirtlandi (Kenn). Page 140.
Scales in 17 rows. No. 14. Opheodrys aestivus (L.) Page 162.
15. Nasal single. No. 15. Livpeltis vernalis (DeKay). Page 164.
Nasals two. 16.
16. Head flat, preoculars equal in size. No. 18. Diadophis punctatus (.) Page 171.
Head not degressed; upper preocular IaEEER than lower. No. 16. Bascanion
constrictor. (l.) Page 166.
17. Dorsal scales all or part of them Keeled. 18.
Dorsal scales not keeled. 20.
18. Scales 29. No. 17. Pituophis melanoleucus (Daudin). Page 171.
Scales 19.19.
19. Lateral stripes on 8rd and 4th rows of scales. No. 7. No. 7. Thamnophis
saurita (L.) Page 141,
Lateral stripes on 8rd and 4th rows of scales. No. 8. Thamnophis — sirtalis
(L.) Page 143.
20. Ventral plates 210 to 240, chiefly black with yellow lines. No. 19. Lampro-
peltis getulus. (Say). Page 174.
Ventral plates 180 to 210, grayish with black borders around brown blotches.
No. 20. Lampropeltis doliatus var. triangulus (Boie). Page 174.
(For the Key to Crotalidz or the Venomous Snakes, see page 186).
(b). SIMPLE STRUCTURAL KEY.
A. Scales not keeled, or AA.
B. Anal plate bifid or divided, or BB.
C. Scales in fewer than 20 rows, or CC.
D. Scales in 13 rows. No.1. Ground Snake. Page 134.
DD. Scales in 15 to 17 rows.
iE. Ventral plates not as many as 165, or EE.
F. Ventral plates about 120. No. 2. Valeria’s Snake. Page 135.
FF. Ventral plates about 140.
G. Blackish, with yellow collar. No, 18. Ring-necked Snake. Page 171.
GG. Green, no collar. No. 15. Grass Snake. Page 164.
EE. Ventral plates more than 165, about 185. No. 16. Black Snake. Page 166.
CC. Scales in 25 or 27 rows. (Middle scales slightly keeled.)
D. Seales in 27 rows. No. 12. Pilot Snake. Page 157.
DD. Scales in 25 rows. No, 13. Fox Snake. Page 161.
BB. Anal plate entire.
131
C Ventral plates 210 to 240. No. 19. King Snake. Page 174.
CC. Ventral plates 180 to 210. No. 20. Milk or House Snake. Page 174.
AA. Scales keeled.
B. Anal plate entire, or BB.
C. Scales 29. No. 17. Pine Snake. Page 171.
CC. Seales 19. (The Garter Snakes; Thamnophis). Page 141.
D. Lateral stripe on third and fourth rows of scales. No. 7. Ribbon Snake,
Striped Garter Snake... Page 141.
DD. Lateral stripe on second and third rows of scales. No. 8. Garter Snake,
Common. Page 1438.
BB. Anal plate bifid or divided.
C. Seales in fewer than 20 rows, or CC.
D. Scales in 15 to 17 rows, or DD. .
BE. Green; tail 1-3 of length. No. 14. Green Snake. Page 162.
EE. Brownish (never green); tail not 1-3 length.
F. No black dots on back; loral plate present. No. 3. Brown Snake. Page 135.
FF. Black dots on back; no loral plate. 7
G. Seales in 15 rows. Nio. 4. Red-bellied Snake. Page 136.
GG. Seales in 17 rows. No. 5. Rock Snake. Page 138.
DD. Scales in 19 rows.
E. Spots both above and beneath. No. 6. The Red Snake. Page 140.
EE. Stripes but no spots.
F. Lower row of scales smooth. No. 9. Rigid Queen Snake. Page 150.
FEF. Scales all keeled. No. 10. Striped Water Snake. Page 150.
CC. Scales in more than 20 rows.
D. Snout not flat, pointed nor keeled, or DD.
EK. Ventral plates fewer than 160. No. 11. Spotted Water Snake. Page 152.
EE. Ventral plates more than 200.
F. Seales in 27 rows. No. 12. Pilot Snake. Page 157.
FF. Scales in 25 rows No. 13. Fox Snake. Page 161.
DD. Snout flat, pointed and keeled. No. 21. Spreading Adder. Page 180.
(For the key to our species of Crotalide—Rattlers and Copperheads—see
Page 186.
(c). COLOR KEY FOR PENNSYLVANIA SNAKES.
1. Without fangs; no pit between eye and nostril. 2. Family 1. Colubride.
With fangs, and pit between eye and nostril. 25. Family 2. Crotalide.
2. Body uniformily colored above, without other markings. 3.
Body with spots or stripes above 8.
3. Color brown. 4.
Color greenish or black. 5.
4. Scales not keeled—smooth. No. 1. Carphophiops amcenus (Say). Ground
Snake. Page 134.
Scales keeled—rough. No.3. Haldea striatula (L.) Brown Snake. Page 135.
5. End of snout pointed and upturned. No. 21. Heterodon 'platirhinos (Latr.).
Spreading Adder. Page 180.
End of snout not pointed nor upturned. 6.
6. Color green or greenish. 7.
Color black or bluish black. 6a.
6a. Belly slaty blue. No. 16. Bascanion constrictor (L.). Black Snake, Page 166.
Belly with dark blotches. No. 12. Callopeltis obsoletus (Say). Pilot Snake.
Page 157.
. Scales smooth. No. 15. Liopeltis vernalis (DeKay). Grass Snake. Page 164.
Seales keeled. No. 14. Opheodrys xestivus (L.). Green Snake. Page 162.
8. Tip of snout upturned. No. 21. Heterodon platirhinos (Latr.). Spreading
Adder. Page 180.
Tip of snout not upturned. 9.
9. Top of head bright copper-colored. No. 13. Callopeltis vulpinus (B. & G.).
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Aye
18.
19:
20.
21.
132
Fox Snake. Page 161.
Top of head not coppery. 10.
Belly reddish or salmon-colored. 11.
Belly not reddish. 13.
Uniform color below, without markings. 12.
With two rows of black spots below. No. 6. Clonophis kirtlandi (Kenn.).
Little Red Snake. Page 140.
Three pale spots on back of head; scales keeled. No. 4. Storeria occipito-
maculata (Storer). Red-bellied Snake. Page 136.
Yellow band around neck; scales smooth. No. 18. Diadophis punctatus (L.).
Ring-necked Snake. Page 171.
Stripes above, but no large splots nor blotches. 14.
Above with stripes and’spots or spots alone. 18.
Yellowish below. 15.
Greenish below. 16.
Belly with two brown bands; lower row of scales smooth. No. 10. Regina
leberis (L.) Striped Water Snake. Page 150.
Belly blotched; scales all keeled. No. 9. Regina rigida (Say). Rigid Queen
Snake. Page 150.
Dots bordering dorsal stripes. No. 5. Storeria dekayi (Holb.). Rock Snake.
Page 138. 7
Dots not bordering dorsal stripes. 17.
Lateral stripe on third and fourth rows of scales. No. 7. Thamnophis sau-
rita. (L.). Ribbon Snake. ‘Page 141.
Stripe on second and third rows of scales. No. 8. Thamnophis sirtalis (L.)._
Garter Snake. Page 143.
Sicales smooth. 19.
Seales rough. 21.
Markings grayish with scattered minute black dots. No. 2. Virginia valerie.
(B. & G.). Valeria’s Snake. Page 135.
Markings in the form of spots or blotches. 20.
Black, with small yellowish spots or narrow yellowish lines. No. 19. Lam-
propeltis getulus sayi (Holb.). King Snake. Page 174.
Grayish, with brown blotches. No. 20. Lampropeltis doliatus triangulus
(Boie). House Snake. Page 174.
Spots not distinct; blackish; scales white-edged. No. 12. Callopeltis obso-
letus (Say). Pilot Snake. Page 157.
Spots distinct. 22.
. Ground color whitish. No. 17. Pituophis melanoleucus (Daudin). Pine Snake.
Page 171.
Ground color dark. 23.
Belly blotched. No. 11. Natrix sipedon (L.). Spotted Water Snake. Page 152.
3elly not blotched. 24.
. Stripes and squarish spots. No. 8a. Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (L.). Striped
Garter Snake. Page 141.
Spots, but no stripes. No. 8b. Thamnophis sirtalis ordinatus (L.). Spotted
Garter Snake. Page 143.
. With no rattles at end of tail. No. 22. Agkistrodon contortrix (L.). Copper-
head Snake. Page 186.
With rattles at end of tail. 26.
Blotches on back in seven series; rattles small. No. 23. Sistrurus catenatus
(Rafin.). Prairie Rattle Snake. Page 190.
Blotches on back in three rows, forming zigvag cross-blotches; rattles large
No. 24. Crotalus horridus (L.). Common Rattle Snake. Page 191.
133
DOC:
Wil-f- alton
Dele:
PLATE XIV.—Structural Characters Used in the Classification of Serpents.
A. Pl., Anal Plate (undivided at left, divided at right); D. Se. Dorsal scales
(keeled at right, smooth at left); K. Keels on Scales; U, Urosteges or Tail-
‘plates: V. Pl., Ventral plates or Gastrosteges; Ist, 2nd, 8rd, etc., rows of scale,
showing order of counting. Drawn natural size under supervision of the Eco-
nomic Zoologist.
134
EXPLANATION OF THE FOOD DIAGRAMS.
The Food Diagrams and Tables in this Bulletin express the results
of our dissections of all specimens collected or sent us prior to Au-
gust £, 1906, and are, of course, reliable as far as they go. The
greatest criticism on them is that we have not been able to study
enough specimens to get all the facts of the case for each species.
We shall continue these studies from each specimen sent us, and
in the Second Report, which will be issued just as soon as we have
enough specimens to justify it, there will be new charts and tables
showing the newly derived facts.
Each chart or circle represents the total number of serpents
containing food, as 100 per cent., and each division of the circle
represents the per cent. or relative number of the specimens of the
respective species which we found had eaten the food material
expressed in that division. Sometimes one serpent contained sey-
eral articles of food, and most of them contained two or more.
These facts had to be considered in making out the charts, and it
became quite complex. The bulk or relative amount of food of
each kind taken by the reptiles is not shown in these charts, as
each division stands for the relative number of this species of ser-
pents examined which contained each food item, respectively.
DISCUSSION BY SPECIES.
No. 1. Carphophiops amenus. (Say.) Ground Snake. Plates XVI,
XXX, Fig. b.
This rare little snake is known by the various common names of
Ground Snake, Red Snake and Worm Snake. It is to be distin-
guished by the smooth scales on the back (Plate XIV), arranged in
thirteen rows, and the ventral plates (Plates XIV and XV), about
one hundred and thirty in number, the bifid or divided anal plate
(Plates XIV and XV) glossy brown color, small head, absence of
constriction on neck, and salmon-red color beneath.
It is found in the United States from Massachusetts to Illinois
and southward, although it is not a common species. In this State
it must be very rare, because we have before us only one Pennsyl-
vanian specimen, and that was collected in Huntingdon county, Pa.,
under a stone, by Mr. P. H. Hertzog, July, 1903. Dr. Witmer Stone,
in the American Naturalist, Vol. XL, No. 471, Mar., 1906, states
that there are specimens of C. Amoenus in the collection of the
Academy of Natural Sciences from Chester and York counties, Pa.
There is very little known about its haunts or habits, beyond the
fact that it is a burrowing snake and is found in loose soil and under
leaves, etc. It is probably one of the egg-laying species, reproduc-
ing by laying eggs, and it no doubt feeds during its entire life mostly
.
135
upon insects, earthworms, slugs and snails. Dr. D. A. Atkinson
has found earthworms in it and says that it also feeds upon insects.
When full grown it is rarely more than a foot long. It is entirely
harmless at all times, and is one of the species that is beneficial
to mankind, while nothing is known against it from an economic
point of view.
No. 2. Virginia valeriw. (B. & G.) Spotted Greund Snake, or
Valeria’s Snake.
It is only upon the printed reports of authors that we include
this rare species in the list of Snakes of Pennsylvania. We have
neither seen nor collected specimens of it, and we find but one
definite record of its collection within the borders of this State,
although it has been taken several times in Maryland and Delaware,
Dr. D. A. Atkinson, in his publication on the “Reptiles of Alle-
gheny County,” Pa., Annals of the Carnegie Museum, Vol 1, 1901,
records taking one specimen at Wilkinsburg, Pa., June 19, 1899,
eleven inches in length, and adds: “This is the only record for the
occurrence of this snake in Western Pennsylvania.” We find no
other definite record of it in this State. .
It is to be known by its smooth scales (Plate XIV) arranged in fif-
teen rows, and about one hundred and twenty to one hundred and
thirty ventral plates. Its color above is grayish brown with minute
- black dots often in two rows, and beneath yellowish. It is another
of our small snakes, being only tweive inches or less in length, and
living in grass, weeds, and brush or under stones or logs. In the
United States it is found from Maryland to Illinois and southward,
and consequently Pennsylvania is i‘s nothern limit. However, it
should be collected in the southwestern and southeastern corners
of this State, and we request observers to send us small serpents of
all kinds from their regions that we may continue to study these
rare species.
It is non-venomous and entirely harmless in every regard, and
feeds mostly upon insects, earthworms, slugs and other very small
forms of animal life. Mr. Max Morse ina Bulletin on “The Reptiles
of Ohio,” reports having found “worms and insects” in specimens
he examined in Ohio.
We are at present entirely unable to state how, when or where
this species reproduces, as these facts are not known to anyone.
No.3. Haldea striatula (L.) Brewn Snake.
This species, which is rare, if at all found in our State, can be
recognized by the keels on the scales (Plate XIV K, and Plate
XV 26) and the bifid or divided anal plate (Plate XV 25), the scales
136
arranged in 17 rows, two loral plates present and the tail one-third
of the total length, which is not over twelve inches. The head is
long, neck small, eyes large, color reddish-gray above and salmon-
red beneath.
While the preceding species is known as a southern serpent, this
one occurs in western localities, living from Virginia to Wisconsin
and Texas. It should be found in the southern part of Pennsylvania,
but we find no record where it has been collected in this State, and
we have no specimen of it. We insert it here upon the authority of
reliable although earlier writers upon the subject, and hope that
our friends who have the good fortune to live in the southern part
of this Commonwealth will help to make our search for this species
successful. While we have been unable to examine any specimens,
and find no author mentioning its food, it no doubt feeds upon
insects, earthworms, mollusks and very small frogs and toads. Con-
cerning its manner of reproduction we are unable to find any indi-
cations or reports. ;
No. 4. Storeria occipitomaculata (Storer.) Red-bellied Snake.
The Red-bellied Snake, of course, receives its name from the
color of the under side, which is salmon red. However, this char-
acter should not be relied upon too closely, as all specimens of this
species do not have such well-marked red colors beneath, and speci-
mens of certain other species, especially the next, and the preced-
ing, are often reddish below. Its generic name, “Storeria,” is given
it in honor of Dr. David Humphreys Storer, an early and noted
writer on Reptiles. The specific name, “occipitomaculata,” means
“spotted occiput,” or top of head, and refers to the three pale
blotches which are quite constantly present on the occiput or back
of head.
The Red-bellied Snake is described as follows: “Grayish or chest-
nut brown, usually showing a paler vertebral band bordered by
blackish dots; obscure dots on one side; occiput with three pale
blotches (a very constant feature); belly salmon red; scales in fifteen
rows; ventral plates one hundred and twenty to one hundred and
twenty-five; length twelve inches.” (Jordan.)
This little snake rarely reaches more than twelve inches in
length, and is often not more than three or four inches long. It
is, of course, entirely harmless and lives under rocks, in woods, and
along fences, throughout the entire State of Pennsylvania. We
have received specimens from contributors in the following coun-
ties of Pennsylvania:
ES OCULOD Oy COULLEN:, fuis wares om AL OUG, CMV VAR te colcsics eva a eee OMLEN DO Lren
SLAY MOUNDS, 7. fee adissy cin ceec Reddle, (Miss) Bertha, ......... Bushman.
Bradford County, ....cccee Wilcox, “Hy VAG he. sn ce susateci eerie Sugar Run.
137
Cambria) Coumiby, ©... .0cclees BIEN OSV erp RE Wis cooanubucooode Johnstown.
(Clewale), (Clotihines sasosocdoou WwHelelin Yen Magy noadoodoodn” sdaoud Clarion.
Gaeta ae VE las us eeystistecs’s tele isrsiterot s Clarion.
ClearneldyCOumleyA, istecs<.eeeUO Dy, “AL IGe so csetsciec ces eistsistiore s Kylerstown.
HiTIe” COUMGY tic craw cicicte cisichete AVEMRETP ene V Vis crevsiee ic, crerscal ctor altetey seis Waterford.
Iba bialee (C5 el ee mee Aine Optic Erie.
Indiana Coun Gynec tccaiecsie SV CULL Ger Eves Wings) neice eos o cercdineie ele LOGIana.
Jeiferson County, ....s0.0. MBE TH GE BU Sse, chore rsjsrere. sisriais ors ohers Pekin.
Lyeoming County, ........spencer, Douglas, ...... 2.0... Williamsport.
INT ESC AT OITA arr Pe cretane terete avohate stat arse rciel a a/aysio sisters lelauaie sisvelons evel ics Port Allegany.
Sehuylkill) Cotnity, soc... While, Be st GocoopoomEeooa conor stig aets\auukos
RTD ny cay COME ja cet aya ovalere SOV V LOLOL Vie, Say) eieis)sieinilein ciel eietsisto\h = Nordmont.
Wipes) Counbtys sess sociciss va clNelsom. Ac Per ee sisaksishase act Canoe: (Calm ps
Wiarren) County, setae. Wihitecomb; Mrs. ., ............ Corydon.
A VAGIES OA pl 8h Shane SEO MOG or aoIOe Sugar Grove.
Wayne County “ice. nsrec mere ES TULOCK iW SEL. Gite: elers slers alstetarcey state Honesdale.
This does not mean that it is not found in other counties, as we
expect to receive it from all of them in the course of time, but it
would indicate a greater abundance in the central and western
parts of the State. In the United States it is to be found from
Minnesota eastward to Massachusetts, and from those two states
southward to Georgia. It is very abundant in portions of its range,
and is one of the common small, harmless and in fact beneficial
snakes of our State.
GAD TEROPODS
(6LUGS)
Fig. 4.—Diagram showing the percentage of Food
Items of Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) :
100 per cent. Slugs.
Although common, it is not often seen. The reason for this is
that it is a quiet, retiring little snake, protected by its grayish or
138
chestnut brown colors, living among leaves and sticks and not
observed by most persons, even in localities where it occurs.
Of the specimens of this species which we have received, only
five contained food, and this was entirely slugs or shelless snails.
{t is important to note that in the five stomachs were twelve slugs,
which are so very destructive to garden plants, especially cabbage,
lettuce, beans, peas and young plants of nearly all kinds, when
erowing close together in beds. Therefore, in reply to the many
inquiries we have received, asking how to get rid of slugs we recom-
mend introducing and preserving this harmless and valuable little
snake. It is interesting to know that this is the first and only de-
finite publication upon the food of this species, previous authors not
even venturing suggestions upon it.
Owing to the fact that all the food which we have yet found in
their stomachs consists of slugs, and these mollusks feed mostly
by night rather than by day, we may conclude that the Red-bellied
snake is nocturnal in habits, and no doubt it remains concealed
during much of the day time and comes forth at night to take as
food those creatures which have the habit of crawling and feeding
on vegetation by night, and finding concealment in the daytime.
Perhaps this species feeds in daytime in places of concealment,
as under logs, boards, stones, etc., where slugs may be found hiding
by day.
From our anatomical dissections of this serpent, we find nothing
significant concerning its manner of reproduction. The other spe-
cies of this genus is ovoviviparous, hence we believe this species
reproduces in the same manner. No available literary reference
contains any statement on this point. If we could receive enough
specimens during July and August, it would soon be settled.
The largest specimen we have received was No. 3117, from Jef-
ferson county, which was fourteen inches long, and showed the
singular variation of having the belly blue-black instead of salmon-
red, in accordance with most individuals of this species. The
smallest specimen we have received was six inches in length, which
is our No. 4131 a, from Port Allegany, McKean county, Pa.
No. 5. Storeria dekayi (Holb.). DeKay’s Snake or Rock Snake.
Plate XVII.
DeKay’s snake must be very similar to the Red-bellied Snake,
since it belongs to the same genus: Storeria. It consequently
agrees with No. 4 in having keels on the dorsal scales and a bifid anal
plate, the tail not one-third of the entire length, the loral plate
absent, and the color brownish; but it has seventeen rows of scales
instead of fifteen, as in No. 4, and generally has a gray dorsal
band bordered by lines of dots, and is grayish below instead of
139
salmon-red. Thus, in general, it should not be difficult to distin-
guish each of these two species of the same genus.
This small serpent, which is about a foot long, is found in the
Eastern United States, westward to the Rocky mountains, and
is not especially rare in this State, although it is not often seen.
We have received specimens from the following counties: Bucks,
Dauphin, Erie, Huntingdon, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northamp-
ton and Venango. A comparison of this with the former species
shows a tendency toward its eastward rather than westward dis-
tribution. It lives among brush and stones and is protected by
its coloration.
Comparatively little is known of its habits, although it is not one
of the egg-laying species, but is ovoviviparous, as our dissections
show with certainty. From the specimens examined, we are sure
in saying that it bears its young from the latter part of July to
the last of August. It is no doubt mostly nocturnal in its habits,
finding concealment during the day beneath rocks and stones, and
coming forth at night for food.
Fig. 5.—Diagram showing the percentages of Food
Items of Rock Snake (Storeria dekayi): 67 per
cent. Slugs and Snails; 16 per cent. Insect Larve;
17 'per cent. Earth Worms.
Of the twenty-one specimens which we have examined, only four
contained food. This material was fuund to consist of earthworms,
slugs, snails and insect larvae. The details are as follows: Earth-
worms in one; slugs in three; undetermined snails in two; and unde-
terminable insect larve in two. This shows that these little serpents
140
are beneficial rather than obnoxious. They are not poisonous, and
in every way should be protected.
Holbrook, in 1842, published that it ate “insects, grasshoppers
and crickets,” and a few other writers have followed him, but this
was only a supposition. We can find no other published notes on
the food of this harmless and beneficial little serpent.
The summary of our collection of this species in Pennsylvania
is as follows:
ESC SA COUMEY ai olele cielo staecclete KmeliSsyy Pei Sis fin) cetelaseverowinte levers ee cere Benjamin.
Clinton County, sm... vc Simeer Gre Pa‘! vardis aitwe cjsrele ew e'e eevee Lock Haven.
Daniphi Ty COUNMEY sere 's la eeeres DUO VCDSOMN, PAs rleisiele sisi lleisressiereraie Harrisburg.
Wise: INOTMANs. seicicsiwswceecens Harrisburg.
An Merson, KG. Ser fstes tac oeyenrenieets Harrisburg.
Uitelicesiy Jalon bela qanouaodnodo0G0e Harrisburg.
idigi(sy (Cloybhonas So oaonnaguaoo0c TAUre CNHs. ctevesoicierotssefetereieravs stators Hrie.
IVECO Te WHT) NIG Pics she chovetes choles Wieketet orarers Waterford.
Huntingdon County, ..... Paynes aw. Say -ssteoee es cece tee OLbisomia.
Lycoming County, <0... Van Housen, Chas., ............ Williamsport.
Wuzerne County, secs: Clranyovoreiils IBY Wh, noone occcue cone Pittston.
Monroe) (COuUmityic, .cte= sero 'alco CUO) ELe) MIRO Tr). cicicicigrenieie cielo aioe wEtREL Ooms
Montour County, .......... Diettenbacherw Dy aN, civics Dar , ule.
Northanipron © oumibye) sie On eAty adie ctsteistevetate clopetersinetel evehererate Easton.
MACKS De As, Viste cctesisaiee sleseiee eer Bethlehem.
Venaneo County, Seicicc.ice BLatp Wi. (Owe \ecisate earcles seein Oil City.
Washineton County; ©... .....<Couch, (Merle, ...c0c\ cect. eieenss Hickory.
No. 6. Olonophis kirtlandi (GXenn.) Little Red Snake.
The Little Red Snake is a western species, being found mostly
from Ohio to Illinois. We have received only one specimen of this
species from Pennsylvania. It is our No. 1411,sent by Mr. L. Christie,
of West Sunbury, Butler county, September 28, 1904. As the stomach
was empty nothing can be said about its food, and the only pub-
lished statement we can find is by Dr. Atkinson, who merely says
that in captivity it ate slugs. It is to be sought and no doubt found
in the western and especially the southwestern parts of Pennsyl-
vania, and we hopg that interested persons in that part of the
State will watch for it and send us specimens.
The Little Red Snake is to be distinguished from all others by
the fact that all the scales are keeled and arranged in nineteen
rows, and the anal plate is bifid or parted. The ventral plates are
about one hundred and thirty-five in number, and the head is
small, black and shining. The color aboveis light reddish brown with
four series of round black spots, and the belly is reddish with
a row of black spots on each side. This coloration will distinguish
it, as other species do not have the spots. Comparatively little is
known of its habits or food. Our specimen is fifteen inches in
141
length and contained six embryos, one of which was measured and
found to be four and one-half inches long. Thus, it is proven to be
ovoviviparous. It doubtless feeds upon insects, earthworms, mol.
lusks, etc., as do the species previously discussed in this Bulletin.
The average length is about sixteen inches, and it is non-venomous
and entirely harmless in every regard.
We shall make a special effort to reciprocate favors with persons
who send us specimens of this and other of these rare reptiles, and
invite naturalists to send us notes upon their occurrence, and par-
ticularly to give us information of dates and places of capture and
collections in which they are now to be found. These facts are to
be recorded in full in our next Report upon this subject.
No. 7. Thamnophis saurita (l.) The Ribbon Snake. Plate XVUI.
The Ribbon Snake, or the Striped Garter Snake belongs to the
genus Zhamnophis, the same as the other Garter Snakes. This
genus is characterized by all species having the dorsal scales more
or less keeled, the anal plate entire or not divided, the scales ar-
ranged in nineteen to twenty-one rows, the ventral plates about
one hundred and fifty-five in number, and the coloration mostly
arranged in stripes. There is only one pair of frontal plates and
two nasals, and although the posterior teeth are rather large, this
is for the purpose of holding their prey rather than for injecting
poison. The snakes of this genus or The Garter Snakes, are all
non-venomous or harmless species and are also ovoviviparous, or
bearing living young.
This species, which is designated by the common name Ribbon
Snake or Swift Garter Snake, is distinguished from the other Com-
mon or Garter Snake (T. s¢rtadis) found in this State by having the
lateral stripe on the third and fourth rows of scales, rather than
on the second and third, as in No. 8, and also by the scales being
little or not spotted; a plain dorsal band present, stripes all alike
in color, and the body very slender. This snake is a dirty choco-
late color, with three yellow stripes and light brown color below
the lateral or side stripes. The entire body is about three and one
eighth times the length of the tail. The colors are bright and
striking in appearance, and the length is from two to three feet.
The Ribbon Snake or Swift Garter Snake is ovoviviparous, or
produces living young, and according to the evidences which we
have they are born during the month of August. It is one of the
species that is known to swallow their young for protection and
then as quickly as possible run to a place of safety and permit them
to escape.
142
The following are our Pennsylvanian contributors of this species:
Beaver County;) Gecec severe Mennell UNOS.) i steve sleiere dare systavneos Cannelton.
Berks County. cece Beckers Ws ID) soeacccislersurcsseietererces Fleetwood.
Blair Coumity;, ye. ccs ee eee SORTS, Ws MD ressietavevapeveseyvee te ote teers Altoona.
Priel (Counitiyey cen oeesiccecce Mixer HIME, 5s aisieiusratteters eisieeie chats OL OTL IOuty
Lebanon @ounitsy;aeeee taco BohngTiiGias) ss socsraeuterc seer Onset.
MuUzZemMe SCountyn | cease see Campbell> (His Wee. 2... ines a eteSstom:
Tioga County, .........s00. 124 oT SAR! Og < geen SYA OO ..... Westfield.
Wayne County cla cides Bullocks Wren (ee cla tists eudeteel see Honesdale.
\WVauloy envuaysses OORT ep ogaonala<aicnkeniey Jay) 1B) wales oh nan dag nes Laceyville.
OALAMANDERS
Fig. 6.—Diagram showing the percentages of Fooa
Items of Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis saurita): 37%
per cent. Salamanders; 25 per cent. Insects; 12%
per cent. Spiders; 121% per cent. EKarth Worms;
12% per cent, Tree Toads.
This species belongs to the Eastern United States, being found
mostly east of the Alleghenies, especially near streams. It likes
to live in rocky woodlands, in shady, narrow, watered valleys and
to plunge into water when frightened. It is not poisonous nor
venomous, and in its feeding habits it preys mostly upon beneficial
Batrachians, and is consequently objectionable because these ani-
mals are the enemies of obnoxious insects. In our dissections only
four were found containing food and the analysis of their stomach
contents is as follows: One specimen contained carthworms only;
one contained a salamander, a tree frog, and fragments of insects
and spiders; one contained a salamander and insects, and the fourth
contained two salamanders, and insects. Beyond any reasonable
doubt all the insects and spiders in the stomachs of these serpents
came from the batrachians which had eaten them previously to
the time of the snake making its meal upon the devourer of insects.
143
A detailed table of the food contents of these serpents is as fol-
lows:
No. of
Snakes Eating: Kind of Food Material:
Earth worms.
Spiders.
Undet. Insect fragments.
Insect fragments with salamander remains.
Insect fragments with frog remains.
Undet. Beetles.
Black Ants.
Red Ants.
Undet. Salamander.
Plethodon cinereus (Salamander).
Spelerpes belineatus (Salamander).
Hyla versicolor (Tree Frog).
BPREMOrFEFEHENYD NY PNY PH
Formerly published statements report this serpent as feeding
upon the following material:
Toads (De Kay, in N. Y. Geological Report, and Morse, in Ohio
Bulletin), Frogs (De Kay), Insects (De Kay and Morse), Worms
(Morse).
There is no evidence that those or other authors actually ob-
served this reptile eating these creatures. The only report of
positively observed food that we have found was recorded by Dr.
Atkinson who published that he has found tadpoles, beetles and
crickets in their stomachs.
From the study of our tables it can be seen that the chief food
of those we have examined is the salamanders, and this is some-
thing that has not been mentioned before by anyone in connection
with this species. It is also apparent that the insects mentioned
above, as well as those observed by others, may have been taken
originally with the batrachians which had previously captured them.
No. 8. Zhamnophis sirtalis (L.) Common Garter Snake. Plate XXII.
Owing to the fact that there are several varieties of this species
of snake and these varieties are distinguished more by the varia-
tions in color than in any other way, it is variously known as the
Striped Snake, Spotted Garter Snake, Blue Spotted Snake, and
other common names besides that of the Garter Snake and Com-
mon Garter Snake and Lond Schlong (Pennsylvania German). As
it belongs to the same genus as the preceding, the distinguishing
generic characters are the same as those there given. However,
it differs from No. 7, the Ribbon Snake, in having the lateral or side
stripes, when present, on the second and third rows of scales (from
below) instead of on the third and fourth, and also in having a
heavier or stouter body, the tail about one-fourth the total length,
144
and the stripes often obscure. The general color is olive, with a
narrow dorsal stripe and three series of small dark spots on each
side, about seventy being found between the head and base of tail.
opec.N2 1646
~~ prawn By- Will. Ff. Walton —
Opec. NV145zA-
OpecN? 14 352-A—
Fig. 7. Structures of Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis). Natural Size.
Drawn under the Supervision of the Economic Zoologist.
The sides and belly are greenish, and the side stripes are rather
broad and often almost entirely obliterated or broken into small
spots. The colors are much duller than in the preceding species.
The Garter Snake is by far our most common snake, and is
found almost everywhere in the United States except in California.
It is found everywhere in Pennsylvania, and commonly occurs near
the abode of man. This has earned for it the occasional name of
“Garden Snake.” This seems to be a reptile which has not yet
settled down to a fixed type of coloration, as there are at least
three or four prominent varieties in this State and these are
distinguished by additional varietal names, Zhamnop/is sirtalis
ordinatus, or the Ordinary Spotted Garter Snake, shown in Plate
XX, has the stripes obscure or wanting, and the spots distinct; also,
spots are present on the sides of the ventral plates. It is northeast-
ern variety. Thamnoplis sirtalis dorsalis (Baird and Girard), shown
in Plate XIX, or the Spotted and Striped Garter Snake, has the
dorsal stripe broad and two rows of distinct spots on each side of it.
This is a common North American species and is found abundantly
in this State. . ;
Another variety which is given the scientific name ‘Thamnophis
a
PLATE XIX.—Garter Snake, variety Spotted and Striped. (Thamnophis
sirtalis dorsalis).
Photographed alive ard in Natural Surroundings, by Mr. Wm. H. Fisher
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PLATE XXI.—Striped Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis).
Photographed in Nature by Mr. Wm. H. Fisher.
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JSISO[OOZ 37eYS 94} JO VOWO 9 UI 28ZIS [eInIeN p.alyj-eu0 poydeisoj0ug
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‘(wopadis apt) OYVUG 193eBM pey0dgS—AIXX AULWId
PLATE XXV.—Young Pilot Snake (Callopeltis obsoletus),
and Egg from which it has just hatched. Three-fourths
natural size.
Hatched and photographed alive in the office of the State
Zoologist of Pa.
‘IOUSLA “H ‘UIAA “I AQ SSUTPUNOIING [BINJeN UI pus dAITyY peydeisojoyg
‘(snaysa shuposydg) YYBVUg Us2eIHN—TAXX ALVI1d
145
sirtalis parietalis (Say), is known as the Green-striped variety of
Garter Snake (See Plate X XI), because the stripes are dull greenish
and the space between the spots on the side is brick red in color.
This is a very beautiful Garter Snake and is a western variety,
being found mostly from Indiana westward.
The Garter Snakes are all entirely harmless, having no poison
nor poison glands, and being unable to inflict any injury whatever
upon mankind. The stories that are sometimes told about their
attempting to choke persons are entirely without foundation, and
there is no reason why superstition and ignorance should combine
to crush out the life of this animal. It is partly nocturnal in its
habits, although it can often be seen sunning itself during the day.
It invariably retreats in the most quiet manner when disturbed
by mankind, and attempts to conceal itself in holes or beneath
stones or logs.
All Garter Snakes are ovoviviparous, bringing forth living young.
The eggs of the Garter Snake begin to develop in May and when
one-half inch in length they show the spiral of the embryo. These
continue to develop until they reach a length of six inches, when
the yolk is absorbed and the snakes are born. The young of the
Garter Snakes are born between the 25th of July and the 25th of
‘August. This is shown by our specimens No. 1073 (d), No. 3062 (c),
No. 3127, and No. 7127 (a). The old snake lives near the young
and guards them during the fall. They pass the winter in rubbish,
in the earth, beneath stones, or in hollow logs, and in the spring
the young shift for themselves.
The many stories that are told concerning these and similar
serpents swallowing their young for protection must have truth
as their basis, but by the most careful efforts we have up to the
present time been unable to find any evidence of this excepting
from the reports of other persons. In over two hundred specimens
which we have examined and dissected we have never yet found
any young in the stomach of the parent, although we have often
found the unborn young in ovaries. If any person be able to kill
and send us a specimen which has been seen swallowing its young,
we shall reward him well for his trouble. We wish them sent dead,
but with the young in the stomach just as they were swallowed at
the time the observation was made and the parent killed.
We have received the following specimens from the following
counties in the State, but desire others of this and other species
for continuing our studies:
Allegheny County, ........ Davison MOd ds cles scisliaic.c/o.ciceters Union Station.
Johnston, Stewart, .............Pittsburg.
Cruikshank, ©: T. (Dr.), ....... Swissvale.
‘The Borroughs Club of Amer.,. Wilkinsburg.
10
146
Beaver County, ...0....e.wright, FE. R., ...-
Dawson, H. D.,
Seisinfols sers@ RU IMCCl qi VViewtelas taccefetsioers
Walls, R. B.,
Bedford County,
Berks iCOUMEVrm celts ce siete eVSOLCEL au elfapes oe wicmyelonaiere aks
Neithamern, Fo, <sics cr
IS GCI OW. IDE facets aie stele
IS Taner OUn Ty). ceicte cele sieievn(ejelese Weer ViGiy ie ni VW at A Oretpamreteveiele tert
IBradLord COuUM Lys. |e. clelesete WALCO. TH AR Pe 2. rearel claret
BUCKS COUN yw clei ccsists tere Aboboablnatforale did, Baddacdndc
franklin, Titus,
Bewley, Anna K.,
Harstine, D. L.,
Cameron County, .........Blinzler, E.,
Carbon County. tacerk
Solts Neg
Murphy, J. H.,
coevcecsee Williams, G. W. R.,
Thompsons eee
sescsvecseaxson, O: Si,
Brille Gu
Robinson, (Miss) Mona,
Arnold, EH. Ms, Jr:,
Centre County, ..
Chester County, ..
Clarion[Coumtyin eset
Clearfield County,
inva opol, vats (One
os eceeeesseLsaudensliager, D. M.,
White, A. P.,
ndoconmGideicny, dels ley,
Sitahl, Harrison R.,
Beam, W. G.,
Klingman, E.,
Clinton County,
Columbia County,
a?
a
ee ee)
eee ee ww eee
ee eeee
re ee ee)
re ee
ee eee
.-.esmith’s Ferry.
Ca RCs yc)
Smith’s Ferry.
.. Bedford.
seen eee
ary
cle iete eer Oey CHa uliueh seperate ace ios
eae eens
Saxton,
Shoemakersville.
Reading.
Fleetwood.
Altoona.
Sugar Run.
Eden.
‘Wismer.
Forest Grove.
Ferndale.
Emporium.
.-Lansford.
Weissport.
Summithill.
Lemont.
State College.
Devon.
Seiclersierers Berwyn.
serene
Paoli.
aatna kw Clarion.
eee eens
La Jose.
Kylerstown.
Mackeyville.
Lock Haven.
Catawissa.
Lightstreet.
Catawissa, R. No. 3.
Beaver Valley.
Crawford County, >... o aS + VAS Kelley 4 aidioyonere cistevateont ovaereictes Cochranton.
(Gihadtougs Dewayne oaneas oGondC onan Saegerstown.
Cumberland County, ..... «Oressler’, GitHiss jose scimete sm ele bueretene Shippensburg.
PET ESS Es wa toercrents cleiiaeyeratnapete caterers Lisburn.
McKinley ule elm cts eiatecstetstarirsters Kerrsville.
DPavphin County, oe sccce. Ae ersNachoy= shard alae (Ay onation oom cotrny Harrisburg.
FROUIES. Be, fifo craven ettherecvrcletereteresvereier ais Hummelstown.
Pivelps:; iSe CAs fates ardteictoieisisdsetelotes's Harrisburg.
Rarthertords A...) Montrose rca te Harrisburg.
Delaware County, ....... woh edanick, Wiel. , vectescstcsimicttretels ss 3ellevue.
Pennell 1. WW.) pcre cneienasiosieets VW aLWas
Pearson, 916. Si jiaticrreteattevsrets acs. Wayne
Redfield), “Aw Gis wrstcerneleiete: clara : Wayne
PIPL N COLMTMEY ig | oes vistsbisiniesi te Miler. His Wa jfuiieiers erecta ahaa s-scuy Erie.
Hranklin |Counnyd veces Branthaver, G. M., ..Chambersburg.
Delong & Atkinson,
Bilton-Coumty, sossccdcce s,s PANINeT, An Cy,
Huntingdon County, ...... Gibbs, E. E. C.,
Swoope) Datla scaswasaien
Indiana 'COuUnby ». cose snsees.s Palmer 0b;
Jefferson County,
eeeee
ee
er
ete eee
Mont Alto.
Warfordsbure.
: -Huntingdon.
Huntingdon.
..Black Lick Station.
re ee)
Black Lick Station.
Indiana
Brockwayville.
147
Lackawanna County, .....Winship, Lionel, ................ Moscow.
anGastere © OUMLY 5 teremreisle se IWINULETS,, HIG, (in cietaie sis 'eiersislvievetc cies = Columbia.
IE bGVAs IDS TU lee an dopoiod ote Cone bO F Lancaster.
Lawrence County, ...... Aclathiwuconmney Is IRA Basnoh oo ooGaKdKC New Castle.
IL(oeweor (sean, Adcoosooolialls diy dite Mo gocuancvoncd.Joosoo8 Richland
Isvolohaly din Cans) Gano oomene ooo nodotoc Onset.
IBOCSHONE AEG EG) lies: sisieue cisielan alate Jonestown.
leyenda Wiss Uonneaeossouyouodoomaoong Bunkerhill.
inlzhias Ils (GA Ga onponadadeoolododosa Lebanon.
. SINMENUISIS) (ORS" aoigran coboonadoagoaoe Fredericksburg.
iLpiADaoe (COMA Seno dabooo slab iodtlien Del es SoodeegodendcoonG Glen Lyon.
J NVOA DISS NG Sa aedsstapcicion ac cette ees Stoddartsville.
Camp DET BBY: WV igh ern sreretensietelaleieys «1 Pittston.
Lycoming County, ........ IVGUMROR Eo Hie wipe satscpetetsleyeie ti clevaierens Okome.
Maa ERS MIDE) cee cel avois: ale setevaiencteiaiers Cogan Station.
Wilt SELOUSCIN SESE UGE i ceyelaycitercais Williamsport.
VOR OC MOCO EY Atco sislorapoyeele ALES ELIr ag Men ilezn. a/ceie sve) ajeiciestojelataleleiere Shawnee.
CWareya) Wa elisge acts einie selene ets ace OUESCOs
IBEW eee) dib vlan cacoconconooc0cn Blakeslee.
MONE ONICEY: (COUNEYA) sjcrcce LLATLC Vi) ERS EIS) cictsicye'e ion laye ele lolol ejera’e Pottstown.
Leiials Vale lets wonconsoncuacaacddar Pottstown.
lelehnaes', IW Wika se ganccodoonoods col Oy svelluerallotehaat,
GT AZ EAs, tater cre tereyerel sie ss lavayaieverehvie) sieve North Wales.
IN(OTHU pe oaav Vitraugateicraioreter eh cfelois Gieletsr overs Prospectville.
Nonthampton CoOUmnmpyiy «ect GOClM 9) Wis Wiss. occ cis wereieciets einer trc Easton.
, Be atordiym Ge Egy cle lcracteysieteietelevetetsiers Nazareth.
FREWUEZN SECC Waa dle ncloniaterarsrctetarcterelrarersleye Walnutport.
Northumberland County,,.leitzell, ©. W.,) ..2...csccsccesss Northumberland.
PEUEZ CLG. CAS Pie crelsisiecieithe Seek Northumberland.
PernyaCOunty, ,ae.ces celsc ce oy svented aha snills 1S Io ee SS Sao boaaeooaood Marsh Run.
Brightbilly Mirse Mes angie scce Marsh Run.
IStcteiael oils Tea hee Ae roomniod Marsh Run.
Rue ler Sis PWWics) ats sal eis ssjelelereayae ee Duncannon.
Philadelphia, County, —....Bernickers wh. Ta {Ga sccscce sees Philadelphia.
SMUD TD see EN se n/c eke Nesaweteneve.e oleis reruittualievere’s Philadelphia.
OCCER COMMEY,, csiciereciec.c cis 1G C6 bralaystaenen\ Cena s]eae tree EERE Re ar eto Raymond.
SIP Vie OUMINEY)) Vacreloinisie sve enol W-GleT Hy. WViign e.c.ure cieveers clerics era's Selingsgrove.
IBGramery tele veliee. .cinateursier ce ctnreicions Shamokin Dam.
Binemamn sy GEE snes cscs eavertow ls.
YX] 0510) Kegel £25) 2 ERS EOP DE AO AOAC HoIge Middleburg.
Somerset County, ......... POULT Crm ia, | aretotesstere sister ctor aes Crumb.
Sullivan’ Countty, ~......... Wiielamdieiw:. «Si mcscieererciersai series Nordmont.
Sirrsquehnanna. | COUMiy es 10.0 CLOUT ey Elo, 4 coins cetiseccicieie ce sae Montrose.
Geret Ca Bis inctittaden ee Oante ae nics on Brooklyn.
MOA COUNLYs fee semeticlecieroSATNES, ©): ie. acrooe ec cinsd alee cntine Mansfield.
PAMORGWS /SisHy pcciystelcles szin/sicereisis Wellsboro.
LES bale 6 LN CE 3 en NS A en eee Westfield.
CDOS WILE Tate els averse ls eveisictere cates are Austinburg.
INTs rng VAM iter ec ctst cra rekon, a eyeerers el enels Canoe Camp.
WAST aot (C/o Ae De AD OBO Oe OORIC OO CRO AO TAEIE Reese eee Oil City.
Washington County, ..... Couch yeiVienrles: 1. ccate ctonce nan sie Canonsburg.
ORI CH dO yp a teen tnelte: Game ecto Canonsburg.
AAViziae! COrori hahia7se Or crn OgocOon UOC RS eV Viet EUnet as ee eraiceiciers ecto Honesdale.
Westmoreland County, ...Schell, J. M. B., .....e-e-e:202e2 peanette,
148
Wyoming County, .........Gardner, T. L., .......+-+e+++--- Meshoppen.
KMernayavie ds noe ei. ee eee Ce wives
Work County, <2. <0--ccccecs Gales ede ara ahy esis sisiel< aclorelstain sete scaler Stewartstown.
Istenigs a IEE Mein oop a> cod noloc or Turnpike.
TS Dees | GASH Pes) are corye7ointioleintnl-y-ielt= Wrightsville.
Tohmson. Ie Os, sade ack shseeieloleasiate:s Slab.
In literature the food of the Garter Snake is reported as follows:
Toads (Holbrook, De Kay and Morse), Frogs (De Kay), Tadpoles
(Garman in Ill. Bulletin), Small Quadrupeds (De Kay), Small Rep-
tiles (Holbrook), Fish (Garman), Insects (Morse and Garman),
Worms (Garman), and Mice, Shrews, young Birds and Eggs (New
International Encyclopedia). :
None of these authors states definitely that he has observed
such food of the Garter Snake, but Dr. Atkinson says he found that
its food consists of batrachians, chiefly the common toad.
Fig. 8.—Diagram showing the 'percentages of Food
Items of Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis): 22
per cent. Earthworms; 18 per cent. Insects; 16 per
cent. Toads; 13 per cent. Insects from Toads; 7
per cent. Salamanders; 6 per cent. Frogs; 4 per cent.
Unidentified Vertebrates; 2 per cent. Snails; 2 per
cent. Insects, Probably from Frogs; 3 per cent. Tree
Toads; 3 per cent. Unidentified Batrachians; 3 per
cent. Probably Toad; 1 per cent. Probably Sparrow.
The following is a tabulation of the food materials found in the
study of the Garter Snake:
No. Specimens: Food Materials:
1 Undet. worm.
22 Earth worms.
1 Stenotrema (Snail).
2 Undet. Snails.
149
No. Specimens: Food Materials:
Spider.
Millipede.
Undet. Insect fragments.
Insects with toad remains.
Insects with toad remains (probably).
Undet. Species Orthoptora.
Acridide.
Locustidz.
Common Cricket.
Undet. Lepidoptera. .
Undet. Larve (Diptera).
Undet. Beetles.
Undet. Ground Beetles.
Calosoma scrutator (The Searcher).
Black Ground Beetle (Harpalus).
Rove Beetle.
Lady Bird.
Fire Flies.
Scarabaeide.
Bumble Flower-Beetle.
Col. Potato Beetles.
Weevil or Snout Beetles.
Undet. sp. Hymenoptera.
Black Ants.
Red Ants.
Undet. Vertebrates.
Undet. Batrachian.
Plethodon cinereus (Salamander).
Plethodon glutinosus (Salamander).
Common Toad.
Pickering Tree Frog.
Undet. Frog.
Leopard Frog.
Woods Frog.
Green Frog.
Sparrow.
Undet. Mammals.
=
pa Mare pees Cece al ae tr Sa eI ee aL oul Al Ree aig
It will be seen that these reptiles fed to a ereat extent on earth-
worms, and a great many contained insects or fragments of insects.
However it must be acknowledged that a great many of these in-
sects were taken inside of the toads and other batrachians which
the Garter Snake had eaten. While there is quite a list of insects
in the above table the Garter Snake must be regarded as one of the
chief enemies of the toad, and this animal is one of the most im-
portant insectivorous creatures on the premises. Thus the econo-
mic value of the Garter Snake is decidedly questionable. It is our
opinion that the destructive insects which are eaten independently
by this reptile do not counterbalance the harm done in destroying
the toads and salamanders. It is true that in the above list we
150
find such objectionable creatures as snails, grasshoppers, locusts,
crickets and larve of moth, besides potato beetles, weevils, and ants.
On the other hand, among the beneficial creatures must be recognized
the earthworms, spiders, ground beetles, rove beetles, lady birds,
salamanders, toads, tree frogs and frogs. We found no evidence of
fish in any of the entire number studied.
No. 9. Regina rigida (Say). Rigid Queen Spake.
There are two species of the genus Regina or Queen Snakes
found in the State of Pennsylvania, although both are rare. They
are to be distinguished by the keels on all of the dorsal scales, the
bifid or two-parted anal plate, scales arranged in nineteen rows,
ventral plates about one hundred and fifty, striped colors, and
haunts near water. They are ovoviviparous, bearing young.
The common name, “Rigid Queen Snake,” is but a translation of
the scientific name of the genus and species, Regina rigida and is
given as the common name of this snake because no other has been
suggested and none is in general use either by writers or by country
people. This species may be called the Brown-banded Leather
Snake from the two brown dorsal bands. It is greenish brown in
general color. Besides the bands along the back, it has a brown
spot on each scale on the sides, causing the sides to present a
speckled appearance; the belly is yellowish and blotched with
darker, and the outer. or lower row of scales is smooth. This snake
reaches a length of about twenty-four inches and is harmless and
probably beneficial in feeding habits. Nothing is published nor
kpown with certainty concerning the details of its habits or food.
It is inserted in this list upon the published authority of Dr. O.
P. Hay. The Rigid Queen Snake is found from Pennsylvania to
Georgia, chiefly south of the mountains and westward to central
Illinois. This makes it more of a southern species than most of
those found in our State. As Pennsylvania is its northern limit
we see why it is rare in this State. It is to be expected where the
Carolinian fauna extends into the southeastern and southwestern
corners of this State, and possibly along the entire southern bor-
der. Persons in those regions are requested to give us special aid
in our efforts to learn and disseminate some information about it.
No. 10. Regina leberis (li.) Queen Snake or Striped Water Snake.
Plate XXIII.
This is a common water snake which generally is not distin-
guished by any common name in this State. In his published state-
ment in 1882 in “The Reptiles of Ohio,” W. H. Smith refers to this
species as the Yellow-bellied Snake or Leather Snake. Doubtless
151
the reason for ignoring its distinction is that many persons regard
this as the Common Water Snake. It is distinguished from Garter
Snakes by the anal plate, which is bifid or parted in this species
and entire in the Garter Snakes. It also lacks the spots often seen
on Garter Snakes. It differs slightly from the Water Snake (No.
11) in its general smaller size and the absence of spots.
The Striped Water Snake is dirty chestnut in color, with a yellow
band along the lower part of each side, which becomes a narrow
stripe along the neck, with a yellow spot on the base of each upper
jaw. There are three narrow dorsal stripes, often inconspicuous,
and the head is small and dark in color above the middle of the
eye. The belly is yellow with two broad bands, but without the
reddish spots, as seen in the Water Snake. The true scales are all
keeled and are arranged in nineteen rows. The average length
of this snake when full grown is twenty-four inches, although
younger specimens, smaller in size, are often seen.
The Queen Snake or Striped Water Snake is another species
that is ovoviviparous, or bears young. In this State it reproduces
during the month of September, and brings forth from 6 to 12
young, which it remains near, according to the manner of the
Garter Snake.
This species is much more common in this State than the pre-
ceding. We have received nineteen specimens from the following
counties listed in our records:
Allegheny County, ........ Couch, Witmer, se. c. cc ewes acns Carnegie.
FOr OUNTY, aisles 'eleheieieie's.< Miehwemenal, IWR Coogencsoougs solodd Reading.
Dauphin county, ..........Sober, Miss Martha G., ....... Dauphin.
KMayette County, <i... -..0c. ibpafae, Wie eb, pososaoo cso docdoo nelle) Wiermotoyol
Lancaster County, ........ Wiican. As ea nooo cao poo cond GOO Columbia.
lebanon County, ...56...0. Istolawaty dis (ie .codooasedsogddpavotuns Onset.
Montgomery Countty, ....Benner, IRciaaakonatel,” Gamonodaugooc Telford.
iSite, Wives Wis Gado ooondooeenddC Telford.
WiashineLon COUNTY, <2. .sCOUCK, (SOS. [neec. se cciccrewcreiccics Hickory.
GOUGH ey WHET seicicretaroiarstrolaisiciors sass Canonsburg.
This table shows that it is well scattered over the State, and
it is probable that proper search would reveal it in all the counties.
It is found throughout the United States and Canada, and appears
to be perfectly at home in and under water.
The literature at hand does not contain any references whatever
of the probable food of this species, but Dr. Atkinson says he
found in their stomachs crayfish, fish and small frogs.
Of the fifteen specimens which we have examined, four contained
crayfish, and one contained a toad. Judging only from these known
facts of its feeding habits, it would not be considered beneficial
to mankind from an economic standpoint, because it destroys
152
creatures that are desirable, such as the crayfish and fish, which
are utilized by mankind or are food for larger fishes. The cray-
fish is also beneficial from an economic standpoint, as it is an
Fig. 9.—Diagram showing tie percentages of Food
Items of Striped Water Snake (Regina leberis): 80
per cent. Crayfish; 20 per cent. Toads.
important element in the food of bass, eels, and other fishes; and
toads and frogs are among our most valuable insectivorous crea-
tures. However, the Queen Snake is entirely non-venomous and
as it is an interesting and beautiful form of animal life and is
rather rare in this State, we do not find sufficient justification to
sanction any attempt at its extermination.
No. 11. Watrix sipedon, Water Snike. Plate XXIV.
This is the most common. Water Snake, and is consequently
known as “The Water Snake,” or “Wasser Schlange,” in Pennsyl-
vania German. It is sometimes called The Brown Water Snake,
although this common name would as well apply to the preceding
species. It is also sometimes called the Moccasin, but this name
is misleading and should never be given to any species of snake
found in Pennsylvania. The true Water Moccasin is a southern
species of snake, not occurring north of Virginia, and it is an
exceedingly poisonous or venomous species, as it belongs to the
same genus as the Copperhead. Although our Common Water
Snake has a violent temper when angered, and strikes viciously
at its captor, it is not poisonous in the least. It has sharp teeth,
which are used in holding its prey, and these may cause bleeding,
but need not be the source of any alarm. We know personally
153
whereof we write in this regard, as we have been bitten by this
snake until the blood flowed and no more pain was felt than would
be experienced by scratching with a very sharp needle.
The Common Water Snake is to be distinguished by the keels
on all scales and the number of rows, which is twenty-three. They
have about one hundred and sixty ventral plates, with large reddish
or brownish spots on the under side, and the anal plate bifid.
Strange to say, this harmless snake is often mistaken for the
Copperhead and sent to us for that very poisonous species, but it
has no fangs nor venom and in fact does not belong to the same
‘family as the Copperhead or Rattle Snake. It is to be distinguished
by its long slender tail, and especially by its lack of the pit between
the eyes and nostrils, which is found only in venomous serpents,
and also by the divided urosteges or plates beneath the tail (Plate
XIV and XV), which in the venomous reptiles are not divided (Figs.
20 and 22).
The general color of the Water Snake is brownish, with a dorsal
row of large square dark blotches and a row of smaller blotches
on each side, which are so arranged that they alternate with the
dorsal blotches. However, these blotches may at times be almost
obliterated, and it is then nearly a uniform brown above. The under
Side is blotched with triangular reddish-brown blotches on a back-
ground which is generally pale yellow. The adult reaches from
thirty to fifty inches in length, and of course, younger specimens
are shorter.
The Water Snake is found abundantly along streams from New
England to Kansas and southward and is one of the most common
serpents in this State. We have received specimens from thirty-
three counties of this State and do not doubt its existence in con-
siderable numbers in all the other counties. Our present records
are as follows:
ACAmIS: “COUNEY:.| Soic hs cc ce MIM Ores eBIs dei tate ersvare sretelacie tele winters Heidlersburg.
leloyignevexell hie awiegac baonobeoomusG New Oxford.
Osbormy, Cola. BAleias iss AS DELS>
Michner, Anna and Ray, .......Aspers.
Allegheny County, ........Couch, Witmer, .................Carnegie.
layer gs) POvehbhatiaies Seppe ate orere SULIT IVE AT"Ves, manvate sicior tell einie ee eretate W. Leesport.
SME IMA.) isi cls Ware hel esereeneiete cleieis.s W. Leesport.
INFERS HS, Maptss| aletecveieieieieione 6 Reading.
WVinitoran Mie ryes Sle ccek sis e Reading.
Ferliizae Wialiny: er pmenn cine daeia cite OMe LO wml
Gerla AV Viet SEM os evsnarays’ay sve eveyetare oieretacele Hamburg.
SAI Chse CeO LEG Yas cee rclere srsraierele te McGarvey, Giiw, <o.0.ccsoceess otek Len boro:
Oppenlander, Dorothea, ........ Paseer.
PUBS ONE) Sis) WV cas aietcieteleneltheisielsy aie \e7e Buckingham.
Bewley eA mana: Kea ar cate ctockara Nema tisle Newton.
Camerom County, <<... ASLO A HS. oe «sale lelare oot cys lere w micusse%e Emporium.
Carbon County, ....
Chester County,
Crawford County, ....
Cumberland County,
Dauphin County,
Delaware County,
Erie County,
Mayetler CO unity) 2.) sel solsieee
Franklin County,
Fulton County,
Huntingdon County,
Lancaster County,
Lebanon County,
Lehigh County,
Luzerne County,
Lycoming County,
Monroe County, o. +--+.
Montgomery County,
Montour County,
Perry County,
Philadelphia County,
Schuylkill County,
Susquehanna County,
Tioga County,
Venango County,
Warren County,
Wayne County,
York County,
sewer
seee
eee enews
eee eee
sees
ee ree
eee
wee
er
oS EULEOINE lier rere tence tvevate translate es cietate
Lawrence, Jno.,
Baldwin, O. H.,
Whom Ss: Cites Piss iat ichctaltislsiataeteiste
Rob DIMMS MESS \sretererelsrere svete isloiiere
Sober, Miss Martha G.,
MERU Oy eres devel aictare’ sce seusie Oicretstone easiateie. sre
Weast, W. W.,
ADEM Dba et OR IEA Rebidnaceaagas OuOOt
Robertson, A.,
‘Pearson: TaiwSs 22s aetsnileeseh ster
Satterthwaite, O.,
Seldon, F. H.,
Mier), THI Wiils cai Sisseleretelarenelsvtrenere tote
STATUE SS UV, cides himetoneteteleraiet ete
see
ee ey
se eee
sees
te ee eee
re a
ee ae
Cd
eee eae esMESlUUI, De The, weer sre nner esenesves
Weissport.
Coatesville.
Parkesburg.
Mosiertown.
Stony Creek.
Middletown.
Sharon Hill.
....Belle Vernon.
EZViOVISS | Wis f0es veiere svavavsstele lave eeetare sore Cheat Haven.
sil CMON Ss HOA: imine hiatal sole Mont Alto.
Efop kins, UBT, DS 5 i. fac cisistela sistetcrornicrs Mercersburg.
alaiyare Palmer, vA (@sen ccs eats seis LCL OLG sD Une.
JaACKSONE. TROD, Mosc veec wince ee eiere McConnellsburg.
eileen Blacks NOC sp ies ssidecisiers sisal se Ln On.
Gils ay Hwa Clr tcl. vedelslecteters cies: Huntingdon.
BaQimeens dis Were sieie ears cious eters stetecs Huntingdon.
Braeiets eHeiserman, J. J., ..- Lititz.
woos baeshore; Ab. < ccd, cro vicie scoreretheves Jonestown.
lavovahanyd jae Crnerichinmoooeode COmoICor Onset.
IVECTTS is, Di) Siace's: tis lave taseneiaiereioter steve sre Richland.
Dericksom, Slo Eiss lrstesvsyerssterercientele Annville.
Moreteva Dickenshied, HW) Si, <.......0-.-,Z4lonsville;
ROAD Angus? Wank -.-seesd eee ae ee Loddants vide:
ee Rothrock, “Bo Psy) soancecsee sees Vila Spo.
SPeN Cer RADE ic Jelaes steisistatelercisiel ‘Williamsport.
AN Ne oearsoe cileaaty cha fersteleramiisterstachattrars Shawnee.
Gopelers IB Gi 5 ccs cu caters ecaveinyers Tobyhanna.
Sr Behner, Wie Mi; ss.cecoesr ener belnord.
JING Wiest, Mins: "Glasby inc eset D aaEvLlLe:
AnOe Brichtbill eh eA ness. nee ovens ECT
Daloveliqoe lem Ieer ben” BAnoon contac Landisburg.
SHO Walter Grn biny onic loleleclasaietetetalel sie Landisburg.
IBOWers 3) Malis; Mraustcardelsetterrloeers Landisburg.
SHumMaeKer CAC Sty aietaeteetelenarsteley eres Blain.
dae AL lake, "7.0 BY, oc cercmencer ase ar Ome eases
ates ate Scinwaler,, Hish::ssnananeencck sine) QULeymNV Lows
Ss ESTOW OL IN ep hit eysinieleietateeisrasiaicietersss Springville.
vataioie Mulford; Ei Ri, secesahes dss: ses. VV CLISDOTO:
fees BORN Mua Clay laraa rerelenmornnisiaie taste Emlenton.
so Wield,” Ri WipasGhowres caretne aaarearates Sugar Grove.
PEAT Bullock; W.4E., ....0.00-.+-s-+-.dconesdale,
Srisate es Ge ee ircsicves craters tee eevsverstale ELIMI VEL
The Water Snake is to be seen singly or in numbers, basking
in the sunshine on brush or bushes over water into which it
plunges and finds
concealment when disturbed.
It takes its food
both under water and out, and both pursues it and lies in wait for
155
it. We have more than once observed the sagacity of this serpent
as it captured a catfish or some other fish and carrying it out of
the water to the rocks on the shore, where the fish was helpless
and more easily devoured. We saw one very small specimen of
Water Snake on the shore. of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca, N. Y., which
was vainly trying to swallow a wriggling catfish, Amecurus nebu-
losus, or Bullhead, which was several times its own diameter, but
which it had captured by seizing the lower jaw in its mouth and
had taken from the water to the rocky shore a few feet away.
In literature we find the food of Water Snakes reported as fol-
lows: Frogs (Harlan, Holbrook and De Kay), toads (Holbrook and
Morse), Batrachians (Atkinson), fish (Holbrook, De Kay, Morse,
Garman and Atkinson), insects (Morse), and crustaceans (Atkinson).
The above are references to reports which have not stated definitely
that writers have seen or known it eating any of these creatures.
Of definite statements we find one by De Kay in which reports
he found a Water Snake eating a young pike, and one by Surface,
Fig. 10.—Diagram showing the percentages of Food
Items of Spotted Water Snake (Natrix sipedon): 33
per cent. Fish; 15 per cent. Insects; 15 per cent.
Toads; 7 per cent. Salamanders; 8 per cent. Frogs;
4 per cent. Undetermined Mice; 3 per cent. Shrews;
7 per cent. Insects, Probably from Toads; 4 per
cent. Undetermined Vertebrates; 4 per cent. Tad-
poles.
H. A., “On Removal of Lampreys from the Lakes of New York,”
1896, in which he states he found it feeding on the Lake Lamprey,
the Bullhead or Black Catfish, the Brook Trout and White Suckers.
While the food of this serpent is generally supposed to be fishes
156
and frogs, there seems to have been nothing published heretofore
concerning the fact that it feeds extensively upon insects and mam-
mals, in addition to fishes and amphibians. These features of its
feeding habits should give it a high place in the regards of the
husbandman, and while it is one of the most destructive animals
in fish ponds and along trout streams, our investigations prove
that it may at times have a practical economic value in the de-
struction of grasshoppers, crickets and meadow mice. Also, while
the Water Snake is justly charged with the destruction of Trout
at times, it must be recognized that it feeds mostly upon such
fishes as White Suckers, Catfish and Star Gazers or species which
are enemies of Trout, because they feed upon their eggs and young
whenever possible. The evidences, here shown for the first time
that it also feeds upon salamanders, tadpoles and toads, as well
as frogs, are against it from an economic standpoint, because
these creatures are valuable in destroying insects and slugs. On
the whole, the Water Snake, although harmless from a physical
point of view, must be regarded as one of our objectionable reptiles
from the economic standpoint.
The table of food of this species from the seventy specimens which
we have examined is as follows:
No. Specimens: Food Materials:
2 Insect fragments with Toad remains.
Undet. Species Orthoptera.
Two-striped Grasshoprers.
Striped Brown Cricket.
Wndet. Ground Beetles.
Undet. Vertebrates.
Undet. Fish.
Catfish.
White Sucker.
Cottus richardsoni.
Cottus ictalops.
Undet. Salamander.
Plethodon cinereus (Salamander).
Tadpole.
Toads.
Green Frogs.
Undet. Mammal.
Meadow Mouse (Microtus pennsylvanicus).
Common Shrew (S. personatus).
ee Oe ee
The Water Snake is ovoviviparous, bearing its young very late
in the season. We have examined specimens of living young in
the parent as late in the season as the last of September. From
our examinations of the reproductive bodies in the Water Snake
we derive certain conclusion as follows:
The undeveloped gonads or eggs are about seven-sixteenths of
an inch in diameter, and do not commence to develop until May,
157
during which month they double in size. In July the yolk is grow-
ing smaller and the embryos become one and one-half inches in
length. In August the embryo continues to enlarge until it reaches
the length of six inches or a little more, and practically absorbs
the yolk. In September the yolk is not left, and the young snake
reaches the length of eight and one-half inches, at which time it
is born.
No. 12. Callopeltis obsoletus (Say). Pilot Snake. Plata XXX,
~—DRAWN BY WILL.R. WAL TON—=
Fig. 11.—Structural characters of Pilot Snake.
This is the species that should properly be called the Pilot Snake,
although the name “Pilot” has been given to two or three other
species, especially to the Hog-nosed Adder (No. 21) and the Cop-
perhead (No. 22). This confusion of common names has lead to
the erroneous popular belief that this snake is poisonous. We
occasionally see articles in the papers, especially from the eastern
part of the State, stating that persons have been bitten by Pilot
Snakes. Upon investigation we have learned that the Copper-
head was the one that was meant, and in the region from which
the report was circulated it is wrongly called the “Pilot.”
This is one of the two large dark-colored snakes commonly called
Blacksnakes (Schwartze Schlange, Pennsylvania German), and is
distinguished at once from the other species of Blacksnake (Ne.
158
16) by the absence of the white chin and throat, and presence of
white margins to the scales and irregular blotches on ventral sur-
face.
Coluber is a synonym for Callopeltis, and in many publications
the scientific name of this snake is given Coluber obsoletus. Con-
fusion is avoided by remembering that the two scientific names are
synonyms or refer to the same species.
In Pennsylvania we have two species (Nos. 12 and 13) of snakes
belonging to the genus Cadlopeltzs,—Pilot Snake and Fox Snake,
the former of which is very common and the latter is rare. The
genus is to be distinguished by the bifid anal plate, by the keeled
dorsal ‘scales, which are in either twenty-five or twenty-seven rows,
the snout without a keel or plate at the tip, and the ventral plates
over two hundred in number. The Pilot Snake differs from its
relative, the Fox Snake (No. 13), not only in its darker color but also
in having twenty-seven rows of scales instead of twenty-five, as
found in that species, and the ventral plates about two hundred
and thirty-five instead of not more than two hundred as found in No.
13.
The adult of the Pilot Snake is described as follows: Lustrous
black, some of the scales white-edged; under parts slightly black,
scales on the middle of back slightly keeled but rest smooth;
scales in twenty-seven rows; ventral plates number about two hun-
dred and thirty-five, and length about fifty to seventy-five inches.
This snake is entirely harmless, has no poison fangs and carries
no venom whatever. It is found from Massachusetts to Illinois
and Texas and doubtless occurs in every county in Pennsylvania.
We have received it from thirty-six counties, scattered fairly over
the State, showing its distribution is general, as follows:
Adams County, ...........-Heintzelman, W. E., ............Ortanna.
Allegheny County, ....-+. ;Couch, Merle) cies scene sies tev COMneLIE,
DONNBOM, OSLO WAICEs oasis slelaiclaiclas cle Pittsburg.
Armstrong County, ....++.- (WiOOUSG pels) iiss \wraimtar stain) etusalista Peteteyerein 6 Apollo.
Bedford County, ...---++++6 WV Wea Se Wi tae: steelalete deteranc erste Everett.
Berks 'COupmty,, | dics cate s/o: oo/o'e CrULMAINN WVio cede ebetel ural aiela «)biatele cleats Hamburg.
Blair County, ...-.cescceee TALON 5 Median Helis. Miciavere Beiateucual crelueee d/ere%s Tyrone. ¢
Cambria.County, ..--+-+-+++. Uncaphers Tele eclestearetisincis's re Ebensburg.
Carbon County, .........-..Murphy, A. and E., ............. Summit Hill.
Columbia Gounty,, .ccescs¢DAlGy,, i) co cise ides svt 00's \elnisles)siele Catawissa.
Cumberland County, ...:.-Garber, S. Ri, ccc. ecseeccnecenes Entlersville.
Hieday tL (Cpa sarnest ss chiese ee Shiremanstown.
Elk County, ....-s+eceeeeee Schreiber, A., ....+e+e.ceee+eeee-Dagus Mines,
Prie County, .......-..-..-McCord, W. By, ......eenesevsoes Northeast.
LST ON SS VAS te cee ivew a alete ses civ afeualers Miles Grove.
Fayette County, ......+++ TSWIOTIS WV cscs iat eict estate alain oth ik teed. Cheat Haven.
Fulton County, ...-.+s++- Fhouck, R.. Cry ste. sccsee aus /o MOCCOnnelISDUTE:
Greene County, ....eeceseee Bucher, Prof. J. G., ............. Waynesburg.
Huntingdon County, ..... EIEN PAVE CIMT ete are toe ere crateicle eeisrersters Cole’s Summit.
Scare: UaweGee paabHotdda apo cacgor Huntingdon.
ILsibthAole A wlelig wan oaopAdooOObOCO CoC Huntingdon.
Inaiana. Countyn woreda iuen berger, (Ely gales: cas aes Indiana.
Velie are Wives asoes colon doDdoo oT Indiana.
FMC ACAM CC OUMEYT, | sc 'scmcrece ine Af hd Se ai one Somer anol peeeteee McCoysville.
PMO GI Gun ae ietcic tart wisianieye oles so \ere Pleasant View.
HAW TENCEN@OUMEVe wcltails ey eDaWiCHOLING, Wwe) sis -nyci setelsjelsien New Castle.
ILG@iseuavonn (Grn, “Fo Ad aaa balsyalavae Hla MEPs eiacencnomonepod Tonos Onset.
Luzerne County, ..-....... AEDT TONKS tals WES sg ice svete: cinasierere“sisheleheyelietsisiere.s Shickshinny.
Lycoming County, ........ rile bee aeeeeee os scine cess ee COmal! LLOUSe,
VIET Ts © OUT eta clehel el etetererele lsangsloosdaenc) dis Ia eaogeoncacopK Strode’s Mills.
ROMS yt Beery e/eccis isle e/atsie!esiels alee) © Newton Hamilton.
Monroe, Commtyies seca oo veto 7AM eagles 1 IDA BAG oreioneise SOmoCoOoO Shawnee.
Montour Countty, ..<src--.« WWE (Gin HERS RES. Gdec ao oboe onicaGieh Hersh
INaidaybheajavenatehavel (C/oiihaynwe arsyienalic, Ish lhGq Bnoooococooponod dod Crowl.
Perry County, setcclsc cc's sere ASieakel anwar; dally ING Ca sopandobDoo40] Marsh Run.
IB(GYeldsy 18} 125 GbR een cacgpote oD ow revehob est onbh dar
Briel pille vie. C25 IMTS ars. eicieiers Marsh Run.
WhiprOneri td Cla ceerics esiidecice eli S Mure’.
DI yWcer eCOUMEYA. taclats cele cfalets ieee. Wiel ding Gaooos Odom apoubEODS Beaver Springs.
Washington County, ..... fEoybral Ma UCAS. pocadend ocooonetdo On Hickory.
Stewart) WRaeAt | tae eases oseie nisi Independence.
Wieesiianointelenavel Crbeainy, Goo eleinGie, MWh Wag oncom oocononaa0doC New Florence.
Wyoming County, ........Knuppenberg, D. A., ........... Lake Carey.
iseikohyialal, Joe Wins apandeoncostancnsc Skinner’s Eddy.
MecMickens, N. C., ..............Meshoppen.
(CEhamiageslnten Nia Wi Gacecasooscac Meshoppen.
OI COMMENT L ieicicisletelsisiciere Aeclolaratstoya, di, (Qs, socnsoobooboodnded Slab.
The Pilot is one of the largest Blacksnakes, and often climbs
trees or runs over bushes. It takes advantage of its tree-climbing
ability to reach the nests of birds and take therefrom the eggs
or young as well as enter the holes of squirrels for the young, upon
which they feed. It often lies for hours basking in the sun, and
.at times when disturbed may take advantage of the fright of its
fleeing pursuer to chase after him. We have experimented with
this and the Blue Racer (No. 16), running from them to see them
follow us, but when we turned upon them and became their pur-
suers they would not venture to attack, but turned and fled. This
is also a harmless snake, and the stories of its attempting to choke
or strangle men, women and children are no doubt in all cases with-
out proof or truth.
The Pilot Snake is oviparous or lays eggs, and our dissections
show that its eggs commence to develop during the month of June.
These become about one and three-fourth inches in length, and
are covered with a thin, smooth, leathery shell and are laid during
the latter part of August or early part of September. From one to
two dozen of them are laid in loose earth or damp sawdust, where
the heat of the sun will hatch them. We have had them hatch
160 /
during the first and second weeks of September. The young snakes
commence to strike and fight and defend themselves before they
are out of the shell. At the time it leaves the shell it is nearly one
foot in length, and so spotted in color that it is thought by most
persons to be a Spotted Adder, or House Snake or almost any other
kind of spotted snake excepting the Pilot or Smooth Black Snake.
The food of the Pilot Snake has been reported by writers to be
as follows: Birds’ eggs (Maximilian, Cope and Garman); rats, rab-
bits and small animals (Cope, E. D.); mammals, birds and batra-
chians when in captivity (Atkinson). Prof. Cope definitely records
that he found it eating wild mice. Our investigations show defi-
nitely a much more extended list of the elements of food substances,
as given in the following table:
No. Specimens: Food Materials:
4 Undet. Insect fragments.
al Undet. Larve.
4 Insects, with Bird remains.
ak Undet. Species Orthoptera.
2 Acridide (Grasshoppers).
1 Woods Frog.
ala Undet. Birds.
Undet. Eggs.
Chicken Eggs.
Robin Eggs.
Red-winged Blackbird.
Sparrow.
Robin.
Undet. Mammals.
Common Opposum.
Undet. Mice.
Meadow Mouse. M. pennsylvanicus.
Microtus sp. (Uncertain species.)
House Mouse.
Undet. Squirrels.
Red Squirrels.
Chipmunk.
Undet. Shrew.
Weasles. ’
DEPP REP NEP WOWONDPR HEP Pe PE
From the above list of food, it will be seen that the Pilot feeds
upon birds of various kinds and also on their eggs. These are
generally species that nest in bushes or near the ground. The
eggs of chickens and robins have been definitely determined in their
stomachs, while we have found also red-winged Blackbirds, Spar-
rows and Crow-blackbirds eaten by them. Among the mamma!s
are the opossum and the very destructive meadow mouse and house
mouse, as well as squirrels, chipmunks, shrews and weasels. The
insects eaten are also to be consideied, as these are species that
are obnoxious to the interests of man,
PLATE XXVII.—Black Snake (Bascanion constrictor).
Photographed in Nature by Mr. Wm. H. Fisher, Baltimore.
PLATE XXVIII.—Black Snake (Bascanion constrictor),
one-fourth Natural Size.
Photographed in the Office of the State Zoologist of Pa.
4
4
i
|
:
;
!
|
PLATE XXIX.—Young Black Snake (B. constrictor).
Photographed in Nature by Mr. Wm. H. Fisher.
7
ALY
~4
fe Ro
~
A 7 me Sp Se oa, 7
ne rt Cae Tel
“Ea ge ies oe
2 ee aed
“=.
( =
e,'
y
PLATE XXxX.—Fig. a. Newly hatched Young and ges
of Black Snake (B. constrictor), about half natural size.
Hatched and Photographed alive in the Office of the State
Zoologist of Pa.
PLATE XXxX.—Fig. b. Ground Snake (Carphophiops
amenus) .
Photograph of a Pennsylvania Specimen in the Office of
the Economic Zoologist of Pa.
161
In making a study of the food of the Pilot in relation to the time
of year in which it was taken, we observe that during the early part
of the summer the predominating feature consists of eggs or young
birds, and thus at this time of year it is economically objectionable;
(see Food Chart 12 B) while during the latter part of the summer it
consists to a great extent of mice and other obnoxious mammals,
(see Food Chart 12 C) and from the economic standpoint at this time
INSECTS,
Probably from
Fig 12a.—Diagram snowing the percentages of
Food Items of Pilot Snake (Callopeltis obsoletus):
11% per cent. Red Squirrels; 2 per cent. Oppossum;
28 per cent. Birds; 2 per cent. Birds’ Eggs (Un-
determined); 4% per cent. Weasels; 10 per cent.
Meadow Mice (Microtus pennsylvanicus); 2 per
cent. Hens’ Eggs; 21 per cent. Insects (Probably
from Birds); 7 per cent. Undetermined Mammals;
12 per cent. Mice (Undetermined).
of year it is to be considered as beneficial. It is impossible to strike
a balance and say that this creature is so objectionable from an
economic standpoint as to deserve destruction, nor so beneficial
at all times as to justify preservation. We can only indicate what
we have found and say that further studies are necessary before
final conclusions are to be reached.
No. 13. Callopeltis vulpinus (B. & G.) Fox Snake.
The Fox Snake is so called because of its light brown color, and
while it is more or less common and in some of the northern states,
it is not a common species in Pennsylvania. It is given as a Penn-
sylvanian species upon the authority of Jordan, and is recorded
as occurring from Massachusetts to Kansas and northward. Thus
ah
162
it is a northern species and more liable to be found in the northern
section of this State than in the southern. -While it has the char-
acters of the genus Callopeltis, as given above, it differs from the
Pilot Snake in the color being light brown with four-sided chocolate-
colored blotches, scales in twenty-five rows and the ventral plates
not over two hundred and ten. We respectfully invite correspon-
dence upon this species and desire specimens of the same.
Fig. 12b.—Diagram showing the percentages of
Food Items of Pilot Snake (Callopeltis obsoletus)
found during the months of June and July only;
46 per cent. Birds; 164% per cent. Mice; 12% per
cent. Insects; 8% per cent. Unidentified Mammals;
4 per cent. Weasels; 4 per cent. Birds’ Eggs.
Very little is known or published concerning the food of the
Fox Snake. Prof. Cope has published that it feeds on “vermin of
various kinds,” and also that he found it eating a rabbit. It is
probable that to a great extent its food consists of mice, rats, rab-
bits, frogs, toads and such birds as it can capture.
No. 14. Opheodrys cstivus (L.) Green Snake. Plate XXVI.
In the State of Pennsylvania there are two species of snakes
green in color. One of these (No. 14) is known as the Green Snake,
and the other as the Grass Snake. The former is rare in this
State and the latter rather common. While both are small, harm-
less, uniformly green above and yellowish beneath, they differ
considerably in certain structural characters. This species can be
called the ‘Keeled Green Snake,” because all the scales have keels
on them or are roughened, The Grass Snake (No. 15) can be called
163
the “Smooth Green Snake,” because the scales are not keeled. In
both, the anal plate is divided or bifid. The Green Snake has about
one hundred and fifty-five ventral plates, while the Grass Snake has
only about one hundred and forty. With the former the tail is
more than one-third the length of the entire body, and with the
latter the tail is less than one-third its entire length. The Green
Snake is described as having a conical head; neck very small; color
bright clear green, yellowish below; scales in seventeen rows;
ventral plates one hundred and fifty to one hundred and sixty-
five; tail more than one-third of the body, and the length reaching
thirty inches.
UNIDENTIFIED
MAMMALO
Fig. 12c.—Diagram showing the percentages of
Food Items of Pilot Snake (Callopeltis obsoletus)
found during August and September only: 37%
per cent Mice; 25 per cent. Unidentified Mammals;
121%, per cent. Insects; 12% per cent. Hens’ Eggs;
12% per cent. Squirrels.
This snake is found from southern New Jersey to Indiana and
southward, and is abundant in the southern part of the country.
It is a beautiful little snake, living on bushes and trees, as well
as among grass, and is shown by our Plate No. XX VI to be quite at
home in a tree. It feeds more upon insects than upon other crea.
tures, and as it is entirely harmless should be protected rather than
destroyed. We regret that we have been able to study only two
specimens of this species from this State. One is from Lancaster
county and the other from Dauphin county, Pa. There are a few
from Pennsylvania in other collections. We respectfully request
readers to send us specimens of the green colored snakes which
they may meet in their rambles. They are absolutely harmless.
164
The Green Snake is certainly one of our most beneficial reptiles
as an insectivorous creature, and the few authors who have pub-
lished notes on it are doubtless correct as follows:
Shaw, in his “General Zoology,” says it feeds on flies and other
insects, and Holbrook and Garman each report it as eating insects.
These are the only published statements which we find referring
to its food.
No. 15. Liopelits vernalis (DeKay). Grass Snake.
The Grass Snake is not especially rare in the State of Pennsyl-
vania, although it is not often observed, owing to the fact that
it lives in the grass and among the foliage where its green color
renders it inconspicuous. We have received twenty-nine specimens
from counties listed below:
ING pansy (Ole wnMAve og grooooddo MAKeigs IDS Wis, “aologeoos coos s0DOb Gettysburg.
(ORIENNANOG IDSA AE ooo oéS0aoodoq00DC Aspers.
INGEN, (Cowon, “Anooooo Mike Ouhvelmeualst da (O55 sondeocosoosac Pittsburg.
Beaver “COUMEY,, sic. <5 sic a WV RLS TEU ES oo have, ate ale: wioitererrots) oteveleteronais Saxton.
srg SIMOlolbahingy codoooamod coe SulbaKen ME MERE Feogodouqane do0ucKdD Berneville.
Cambria County. tte crecieeoU Simi dele tovepetesfeleratalc:eieferolerevetel ever Patton.
(ernie (Cees nh05 5050005 eBe@niners (Cor Ai, cease evete re s0e-cicysoitetere Powelton.
Kennedy fePror dein tee once eaicinels Powelton.
iDsate (Oaibhowsis Aaqnnoococdo0KD BS OM weB se AG, © rise tlstofasishelabelen exes McKean.
Hayette County, ..-.-.0.0+ SOE, Mie) Isles so sodaecsodjo0ddor Belle Vernon.
IQaeewel lbha (Corbhiary, Sonanoane Miller, J. Buy secs cccncesscccvcres Chambersburg.
De Tone. VAs Cis Mncte she «cet cremcee Mont Alto.
PMvishns als WIRES Sop cogocoonodotoT Mont Alto.
EMT EOM MOGUL 7, te etec clcfelel/s/0 ELOS Se. Lodi uiilotsoteteiss state railolalleteraictele someneie neers Dublin Mills.
Inayeichalsk (Qopbhiteys semoooococ a elaiMles Jas Wier soon AS Ses 5 6 ..Indiana.
DUIGIACA OOUMEY: 0 oic)-1e specie WUTC SOU ay lnc mrvaic ayalayniacelel sfalsioleletorerate Swales.
Luzerne County, ..........4 ATSUS, WAC carte suicleteetoepoa siete epeveters Stoddartsville.
ycoming |\COUMEY,, <c.ccies cA NCISON,, UOSUET), scj\etclsierceisninielteiele New Berry.
Monroe County, ....... OOnlsdvuKelEMWIS Ie lalS vordddooe ogcognoce Effort.
(Gloyatealeey MshCss Gano deuce oood O06 Tobyhanna.
Perry County; «2+. sooo a SELS TU ONIN, SENS IVES, eercle oles! elvis ohsietsiel Marsh Run.
Somerset County, ....... Slova (yr al Sey BompierOuodornoun Tac Crumb.
Sullivan County, *........ WCQ. Wii bites. c vicicieieaieners Nordmont.
WON, (COMME V IS, cv eyicsteeiatsve ro STNLLCT a VViot Hs © ciel ereloia niapptatetotsvetel tate Vicksburg.
Washington County,, on sca. COUCH, JOS.) 2. «isa cian cmrepierramterts Canonsburg.
As these are fairly well scattered over the State it shows that
its distribution is no doubt general. It is to be recognized by its
ereen color and smooth glossy scales without keels. It is described
as having head elongate; neck slender; eyes generally large; uni-
form deep green (turning bluish in spirits), yellowish below; tail
not quite one-third the length; scales fifteen;-ventral plates one
hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and forty, and length
twenty-five inches or less.
This most beautiful and harmless little snake is found through-
out the eastern United States and differs from the preceding in
163
being more common northward than southward. It lives where
vegetation is abundant and is no doubt to a considerable extent
nocturnal. It lays eggs, as is shown by the fact that we have
received snake eggs and upon opening them found well developed
little embryos representing this species of serpent.
The eggs, according to our dissections, commence to develop in
June and reach the full length (14 in.), by the middle of August,
about which time they are laid. The egg shell is translucent, thin,
and parchment-like, and the little embryo within the egg is about
an inch long at the time it is laid. The laying may occur from the
12th of August to the 15th of September. The eggs probably hatch
within three weeks after the time of laying. They are deposited
in loose earth, decaying wood, or sawdust, and the young soon find
protection in concealment in the grass or green foliage.
The Grass Snake has been reported as feeding on insects (DeKay
and Morse) and “crickets and grasshoppers” (Holbrook). Dr. Atkin-
son has published that he found three grasshoppers in one speci-
men of this serpent.
HIOECTO
Fig. 13.—Diagram showing the percentages of
Food Items of Grass Snake (Liopeltis verndalis) :
45 per cent. Insects; 16 per cent. Spiders; 17 per
cent. Grasshoppers; 11 per cent. Lepidopterous
Larve; 11 per cent. Snails.
From our actual studies of the food contents of 22 specimens we
have ascertained the following:
No. Specimens: Food Materials:
1 Helix hirsuta (Snail).
1 Slug.
a Snails. Undet.
166
Spiders.
Undet. Insect fragments.
Undet. Larve.
Undet. Species Orthoptera. '
Acridide (Grasshoppers). i
Common crickets.
Striped Brown Crickets.
Undet. Lepidoptera.
Measuring Worms.
Ground Beetles (Harpalus sp.)
Red Ants.
Striped Salamander.
RBererere we hw wwe eY WY pe w
In the above table we find that most of the food materials men-
tioned are obnoxious to the interests and property of mankind,
excepting the ground beetles and the striped salamander, which
are insectivorous. Consequently we must say emphatically that
an animal with such a menu must be very valuable to mankind in
destroying the obnoxious insects and other pests around him. The
absence of toads and fragments of toads from this list shows they
do not feed on these useful batrachians, and also that the insects
found in their stomachs were taken by them primarily as their own
food, rather than secondarily as the food of the toads which were
swallowed, as is evidently the case with the Garter Snake and the
Hog-nosed Adder or Blowing Viper. :
The above table proves conclusively that the Grass Snake is
beneficial, as it feeds upon small snails, slugs, spiders, grasshoppers,
crickets, measuring worms and other objectionable insect larve,
and red ants, with an occasional salamander for variation, yet very
few amphibians are taken as its food. Were it not for the two
eating ground beetles and one specimen of salamander included in
the above list, we could say that all these individuals showed abso-
lutely beneficial characters in their feeding habits. ‘As an animal
that needs preservation in order to help suppress the increasing
numbers of insect pests, the harmless and beautiful little Grass
Snake is to be recommended. Let its utility be taught in the home ~
and school and these useful creatures preserved.
No. 16. Lascanion constrictor (L.) Black Snake. Plates XXVII,
XXVIII, XXIX, XXX Fig. a. |
The Black Snake is also called the “Blue Racer” from the fact
that it has a bluish lustre and runs rapidly, especially over vines
and thickly growing bushes. It differs conspicuously from the
other species of Black Snake (No. 12), called the Pilot Snake, by the
presence of the white on throat and chin only, also in having all the
scales smooth instead of keeled. The genus Bascanion, of which we
have but one species in this State, does not have the dorsal scales
keeled; the anal plate is bifid; the scales are generally in seventeen
167
rows, and the ventral plates are one hundred and eighty-five in
number. The B&B, constrictor, which is commonly known as Black
Snake or Blue Racer (Schwartze Schlange, in Pennsylvania Ger-
man), is to be known by its lustrous pitch black color, which is
bluish or greenish below, and the white throat and chin, very large
eyes, scales generally seventeen, ventral plates one hundred and
seventy to one hundred and ninety, and length five feet or less. It
may at times be found larger.
It is not generally known that the young are a grayish olive
color, spotted with rhomboid black botches or spots, and few per-
sons recognize young Black Snakes because they expect to see them
black, rather than spotted. Most persons take them to be the
young of the House Snake (No. 20), Water Snake (No. 11), or the
Copperhead (No. 22). The Black Snake or Blue Racer is entirely
harmless and does not voluntarily attack any person, although it
is true that when angered it may pursue its tormentor if the latter
should turn and flee. This snake is found in the eastern United
States and is very common eastward and southward. We have
received it from thirty counties and it is beyond any doubt to be
found in the other counties of this State. It is among the more
common species of larger snakes, in more or less wooded regions
and along hillsides and among bushes.
The following is our Pennsylvanian record:
Aaamis Gommby., sacle sisicle,s </e IST GOIMI De eres taicratcencherststenave iclevetatel es Gettysburg.
Sayre CW OUUIEY ZY) cate levcloletayaetalicULGLOTes wD ye Wise) ta vekstereyetels/eteiiele lel stlesalsiei'sse-0 Darlington.
I8Yerdids) (Ole bhallagy mg ogannUaeor Grubens Prot ©. En3 es. cc. +). LwUlZtown.
SI CO UMGY bis sie «0! ale jen 016 wT arenes Gra cAG is) eve ele sreletes srshdia: aiecsl Altoona.
Bradford County: sa. «16 IRioonralstoyoy, dhs Shaq oougcssocopoumooa Milena
BUCKS TCOUNEY, Means cctse coins Jkiptebalopans Wi; Nien cagadooo do obmoue Buckingham.
COs BEI Ci goiter etanate ore tate espe sings Buckingham.
HOSWEIME ES welnriia a wis celejersicfaisieiels #1 ars Richland Centre.
Bewley, Miss Anna K., ..... Forest Grove.
WENLTeM@OUNTY. Vjeve's cicveisiciels ising ose) dlp tsk da epoaenonanoueoe Port Matilda.
ClintonnCountya) sce ac.s ect c VEO ERT e Eas) lercteter ste eveiave, slelatons/cr travelerels Lock Haven.
Craw lOragl COmmtys iis anicieiee's COOTM MO HIOE, |. soretet a alevevescreynreteveusreysye 6 Saegertown.
Wap Hing Cownittyiy ve. «sss els Awaaienibere,” (41845 Bone song. bd doco SiASe Kop ols
MOCO MCOUM EY Fae sion oe ene WiKDNKo ES TEE Che es eS A aos gupdduns ec Andover.
eu Te teeta Cin Mec vetuyehevetey ous ausienetersiauets Warfordsburg.
GMC TIC rds sIVIE. | aye nlelcicilcieusie slensiexsiete Enid.
Brie a COMMUY) cs vs cvelelelctereororare Mier: HY Wij) cccncccece sence.) Waterford,
Huntingdon County, ...:. Swoo0pe, eees) wieccesees tse ELUntine Gon:
indianartiCoumnity., i. sctec werent AV Caer ER ea WN pera rate ciel cvs icia\ ofansteherensieile Indiana.
WehamMon) KC OME I eelelaielevsiale DSOMM Wels MCG) sta ataceiecwruials tectd.s ONSEE.
STM plete Seen rslolisie aistelstsle¥e\slerets/e/erere Fredericksburg.
lesa thal oes doo robe BO OU OOOO Oita inchs Lickdale.
Menish (County. ssi vues ce Dickenshved) FH Sy) cro cieisretolererei. Hosensack.
Larzerne Counntys, 52 -fecite« «6 Patterson.) Ih Hy {jesse es «sac. aL KES Barre,
Simonds iste VAC saedaesoce obo Cont Freeland,
{
168
Lycoming County, .....0..Shafer, W. H., 2. ...02..6.5.....sOogen, House:
IE NOFIITG VED: 5. iad ahoustoleve cote clcie cieereherelatelere Cogen House.
SAM SOM sy AV iclgn lelohatatntolsinicfercieitersispetoreiers OLSON Cx
Monroe County, iis. -' ANTES aS MS Mais cterors, dskew use) elcyereteloneye s Shawnee.
Perry Counbys « cscs cece eile aye] ont) ial «Pag. Veen Ree nis poe Marsh Run.
IBreshitpully. VE a wetcieteetciexsiencistere Marsh Run.
Sehuyikill Countyy Ss. sec IMO VET) MIE ietaavs sieietacsro suas evegatecal ere Schuylkill Haven.
SomersebCountye. hee. see SUNRICy JH A eonniactatei acc se © Ulm:
Venango County, ......... Bean. Wwawella yarns ctentackeer wees 6 Emlenton.
Washington County, ..... COUCH TOS 5) severe sreleictanisimetatecereunoeys Hickory.
Caueh,. Merle wy mace ccsce cecal Canonsburg.
Wayne ‘County, cance ses sBuUllock sy Wiese, acto sti aetectemiceie Honesdale.
Wyoming County, 3. iacoseSharpe, “AtiBs; ios eenelseianoioceares Jenningsville.
Works. COUNTY siweiste cise ceitisise COMUNSOM, clit. ts teeuctanseteraeiereeieeten velo W oodbine.
Both species of Black Snakes are reputed enemies of Copperheads
and Rattlers, and the effectiveness of Black Snakes in destroying
these two venomous species is so generally believed and reported
to us we must believe that there is enough truth in it to warrant
the belief in the common assertions that the Black Snakes attack,
kill and eat Copperheads and Rattlers. However, we have not been
able to find specimens of this venomous species of reptile in the
stomachs of Black Snakes, although we have found them eating
Garter Snakes, Water Snakes and Grass Snakes. Prof. Verrill,
of Yale, found a Copperhead in the stomach of one of this species.
It is remarkable how the snakes of this species can climb trees and
walls and how rapidly they can run over bushes and through
branches. We remember chasing one nearly one hundred yards as
it ran over bushes and vines four or five feet above the ground,
while the writer was running the same distance on practically open
sod ground.
The Black Snake or Racer multiplies by laying eggs, which are
one and one-half to one and five-eighths inches in length, oval in
shape and twenty to forty in number, deposited two or three inches
below the surface of loose soil into which the reptile bores, or in
piles of sawdust, hollow logs or trees or decaying wood. The em-
bryonic snake at the time of hatching is nearly one foot in length
and is of such a light color and so spotted that it is seldom believed
to be a Black Snake.
The eggs are laid during the latter part of June or early part of
July, and the last of the latter month the embryo shows typical
color markings. They generally hatch during the latter part of
August or early part of September. We have collected them (our
specimen No. 1636) hatching as late as October. We have evidence
from correspondence which will be published later, that the young
may remain in the egg during the entire winter and not hatch nor be-
come active until the following spring. The shell is generally white
169
and elongate, with rough points, and the young fight, strike and
defend themselves as soon as their heads are out of the shell. They
cut their way through by means of an egg-tooth projecting from
the middle of the upper snout, having for its function the slitting
of the leathery shell through which the animal crawls, after which
the egg-tooth is shed. ?
Fig. 14.—Diagram showing the percentages of Food
Items of Black Snake (Bascanion constrictor): 25
per cent. Insects; 15 per cent. Snakes; 22 per cent.
Field Mice; 8 per cent. Birds’ Eggs; 4 per cent.
Rabbits; 4 per cent. Voles; 7% per cent. Frogs; 4
per cent. Birds; 7 per cent. Mammals (unidentified) ;
31% per cent (Citheronia regalis). Larve of Royal
Moth.
Writers have reported the Black Snake as feeding upon a great
variety of substances as follows: Small mammals (Atkinson), mice
and rats (Shaw and Cuvier), field mice (Garman and Smith), squir-
rels and opossums (Cuvier), small quadrupeds (DeKay), milk, in
pans (Shaw), birds (DeKay, Garman, Smith, Cuvier, Atkinson and
Harlan), eggs (Shaw, DeKay, Morse and Harlan), lizards (Cuvier),
rattle snakes (Shaw), batrachians (Atkinson), toads (DeKay), frogs
(DeKay, Garman, Smith and Cuvier), and insects (Morse). Very few
persons have published anything definite as to the species of these
yarious animals upon which they feed. Dr. Atkinson, of Carnegie
Museum, has taken weasels and voles from their stomachs, but as
a rule specific statements of their food have not been given by
other writers. Our investigations show the following list of food
for different individuals of this species:
170
No. Specimens: Food Materials:
3 Undet. Insect fragments.
Insects, with Frog remains.
Acridide (Grasshoppers).
Cave Crickets. ,
Undet. Lepidoptera.
Cecropia Moth. >
Imperial Moths.
Regal Moths.
Common Cutworms.
Undet. Beetles.
Undet. Ground Beetles.
Long-Horned Leaf Beetles.
Clover Leaf Beetles (P. punctatus).
Undet. Saw Fly.
Currant Worms.
Ichneumonide.
Woods Frog.
Green Frog.
Garter Snake.
Water Snake.
Grass Snake.
Undet. Bird.
Robins’ eggs.
Undet. Mammals.
Rabbit.
Undet. Mice.
Meadow Mice (M. pennsylvanicus).
Microtus sp. (uncertain species).
Viole. (Evotomys sp.)
a SC SC NC SC SC OS
In the above extensive list of food materials we find that the
Black Snakes have eaten meadow mice (Microtus pennsylvanicus)
more than any other one material found in their stomachs. Among
the economically objectionable food materials which they had taken
are grasshoppers, cave crickets, moths and cutworms of different
species, leaf beetles, especially clover-leaf beetles, saw flies, cur-
rant worms and meadow mice and voles. The list of beneficial food
materials are frogs, ichneumon flies, grass snake, bird, robbins’ eggs
and rabbit. An important feature of this table is that it shows
that the Black Snake eats other snakes, such as Garter Snakes _
and Grass Snakes, and there is no doubt in our mind of the truth
of the generally accepted statement that it is an enemy of the
Rattler and Copperhead.
In striking the balance in the food of the Black Snake it can
not now be decided in favor of this reptile, as the above list shows
that it is more obnoxious than beneficial. It is true that an indi-
vidual serpent may form the habit of frequenting the hen house
or chickens’ nests to seek and eat their eggs, and the proper thing
to do in such a case as this is to meet the trouble by killing the
171
molester. From individual stomach records we learn certain facts
that are not to be obtained from the general list, such as that
given above in the form of a food chart of this serpent. One of the
very significant points is that a bird, snake or frog was present in
almost every stomach which contained insects, unless that were
large larve. It is very evident that the Black Snake does not eat
any but the largest insects, such as the larvee of the Royal Moth
and of the Sphinx moths, but it does feed upon insectivorous crea-
tures to a great extent and the latter furnished the smaller insects
and fragments which were found within those that were studied.
Thus, it appears to be more destructive than beneficial, as the
present evidences appear to be against it. More studies are needed
for our final verdict, which must be reserved until more complete
and satisfactory evidences are obtained.
No. 17. Pituophis melanoleucus (Daudin). Pine or Ball Snake.
The Pine Snake is one of the species of serpents that probably
occurs in Pennsylvania, although we have not yet been fortunate
enough to secure specimens and find no definite record of it having
been collected in this State. It is also called the Bull Snake, and
lives in pine woods, from which it takes its common name. Its
general ground color is whitish, with chestnut brown blotches,
which are margined with black, and three series of blotches on the
sides. This is one of the two genera with the dorsal scales keeled
and the anal plate entire. The scales are in twenty-nine rows, the
ventral plates about two hundred and twenty-five in number, and
the greatest length about six feet. It is recorded as feeding upon
rabbits, squirrels, birds, etc., and we desire specimens in order to
make more definite studies.
No. 18. Diadophis punctatus (L.) Ring-necked Spake.
The little Ring-necked Snake is commonly seen in the early sprinz
in most parts of this State, on dry paths, sunning itself. It is a
beautiful, interesting and harmless species, which never attains a
size of more than one and one-half feet in length, and is to be
recognized by its smooth scales, the bifid anal plate, scales in fifteen
rows, ventral plates about one hundred and forty or more in num-
ber, and bluish black in color, with a yellow collar or ring about
the neck. This ring is about two scales wide and is quite conspic-
uous. Beneath, the color is orange yellow, becoming bluish in
spirits. Each plate of the under side usually has a black spot on
it at each side, and some times one in the middle.
This harmless little snake is recorded as being a western species,
occurring eastward to Ohio, yet our investigations must extend its
172
range, as we have collected or received it from the counties listed
in a following table:
Adams) "County! \cscec cassie Llartmeme Hie) Wie como eateeer ota: Cashtown.
Beaver, (County). cc% <-s- e Lan shield beeh.) (eae se ee eaven:
Bedford (County... :..0.:.\</es's Beemiller, “HWramks secnicnss cence Bedford.
Berks (County: «aciaceasiec DST SOT ee8 Lean fesrsisise arte atewrsieieeree Tulpehocken.
Blair) County vscesener cee Riddle Miss Bertha. --.eecceee Bushman.
Bradford: Coumty;,. .1.cessee DEWAlGL Hy. IED on memieleicicisiiee sseiteiee Nyala Ss
@amibria, County. 2eosc ese Uineaphen. DFE.) atu seus sigielereere Ebensburg.
Chester County, .......<¢ SWEaSts, CAN EIR Gipteaccatias selec em lVersoras
Clearfield County, ...... 6 CAMO GT. GS, ws clei ae laciare earsceteieene Irvona.
Columbia County, ....... so Cah, HEVEMEU ss ccarestectejovceteremereeteae Light Street.
Franklin County, ....... 2. De ones, (Cx Az, ax cciescicvsisvesiee cers Mont Alto.
Eunting Gon, ceyecicccsce cc eoWlierley, IK] We, ccrecsereeeees seca Dleton Depot:
MOUSE CE ASS iecrateet cies! telaloisiotsciea’e -Aitch.
Indiana (County, ...s.....Wiebrle; Rs Wéjic..sieese sei neoe ver Indiana.
Jefferson County, .....:.0. STAM) CH ASs, wmejerasre cietelacieretclelatc ot Brockwayville.
Lackawanna County, ....Croasdale, Wir ie Meclenincre steteate Chinchilla.
lawrence County, 22.0.5 Llawthornes Wee blee) ince selecinicnciae New Castle.
Hehish County s 26 <.eeiesicoe KGOCHET. dainies wersteiesinace seitieeae ce eLDeLtss
Lycoming County, ....... oVan Housen, Bruce, <2 .2.... ..-« Williamsport.
Spencer, Douglas, ...........0ce. Williamsport.
POLLY a WO UNMEY:, cisco cieereater IBiakelondsUls Gel) wes An srpobos coo Ue] Marsh Run.
Callender, (GalSs, laseerecees se see DOUNCaAnnon:
Sriyader | Countyiss oeteceus cee FROME Wiidicsi vse crevacis peisisetais osrecvele Beaver Springs.
Somerset County, ...... Acmswhoies dis 1G. ey assur pomocouoeds Crumb.
SLU bhy chalet foi biahiers ¥Sr Sogepao wnicienatels “Ais She sanonmonsddoce ds Nordmont.
Washington County, ..... WOW MERITS. e tare) vetetaticieretoretereteter= Canonsburg.
It is no doubt to be found in almost every county in the State,
as it is to be seen that the list given above represents nearly all
parts of Pennsylvania. It is to.a considerable extent nocturnal in
habits, and during the day time is often found beneath stones, logs
or bark. Its dark color renders it nearly the color of the damp
soil where it lives. It depends upon its protective coloration for
concealment. The largest specimen which we have received is
seventeen and one-half inches in length. This is from Cannonsburg,
Washington county.
There has been almost nothing published about the reproductive
methods of the Ring-necked Snake, but we are prepared to state
here positively that it is oviparous, or lays eggs. The latent gonads
or undeveloped eggs are one-fourth inch in length and commence
to develop in May, when they reach a length of one-half inch, and
by the middle of June they are practically developed, or over one
inch long. They are laid from the middle of June to July or August
and each is covered with a thin opaque shell, white and leathery,
and very irregular in shape and size. They hatch in September and
October, and the young are about four inches in length at the time
of hatching.
173
As far as we can learn, this is the only definite statement that
has ever been published about the reproduction of the Ring-necked
Snake, excepting a statement by Dr. Atkinson to the effect that he
had found ten eggs in a specimen taken by him July 9th, and that
from the thickness of the shell enveloping them there were indica-
tions that the species is oviparous. When we receive enough speci-
mens we shall try to work out the full life history of this valuable
little serpent.
Authors have published various reports about the food of this
little Ring-necked Snake. It is said to feed upon reptiles (Cope);
batrachians (Cope); toads (Morse); insects (Holbrook, Cope, Morse
and Atkinson); and worms (DeKay and Atkinson). Atkinson found
beetles and earthworms in one.
BATRACHIANS
ee RT »
/SALAMANDERS
Fig. 15.—Diagram showing the percentages of Food
items of Ring-necked Snake (Diado phis punctatus) :
66 per cent. Insects; 16 per cent. Undetermined Ba-
trachians; 17 per cent. Salamanders.
Of the twenty specimens which we have examined, sixteen con-
tained no food, two contained undetermined insect fragments, one
contained undetermined beetles and Ground Beetles; in another
we found an undetermined salamander, and in another a Striped
Salamander (Plethodon cinereus). This indicates its beneficial feed-
ing habits, as it appears its chief food consists of earthworms and
insects, rather than batrachians (excepting salamanders) and rep-
tiles, as some have reported. With this, as with other species,
more specimens are needed for further investigations and final con-
clusions.
lid
No. 19. Lampropeltis getulus (L.) Var. say (Holb.). Chain or Thun-
der Snake, King Snake.
The Chain Snake is so named from the coloration or color pat-
tern, which gives the appearance of chains extending along the
body. It is also called the Thunder Snake, and one variety is knowa
as the King Snake. The genus ZLampropeltis is to be recognized
by the absence of keels from the scales; the anal plate entire; ven-
tral plates one hundred and eighty in number; scales in (wenty-one
to twenty-five rows. JZ. getulus is described as black with narrow
yellowish lines forking on the sides, each fork embracing a large
black spot; color chiefly black; belly checkered; scales in twenty-one
rows; ventral plates two hundred and ten to two hundred and forty;
length fifty inches or less. While this is commonly found from
Virginia to Louisiana, mostly east of the mountains, the Yellow-
spotted Black Snake or King Snake, which is another variety, is
found from the Alleghenies to the Rocky Mountains, we have not
collected nor received specimens in the State of Pennsylvania and
insert it here on the authority of Dr. Jordan, in his Manual of Ver-
tebrates, who gives it from “the Allegheny to the Rocky Mountains.”
We find no author who has made definite observations upon its
food, but it is reported commonly by writers that it feeds upon
batrachians, such as salamanders and toads, and reptiles, such as
rattle snakes, moccasins and lizards, and also on birds and moles.
This reptile is so well marked that it should be recognized, even by
one who is not an expert, and as we are anxious to receive specimens
of it we invite readers to help us procure it.
No. 20. Lampropeltis doliatus (L.) triangulus (Boie.) Milk Snake or
House Snake. Plate XXXI.
The House Snake or Milk Snake is among the most numerous of
the snakes of Pennsylvania, and is known by a greater variety of
names than is any other one species. It is variously known as the
House Snake, Milk Snake, Chicken Snake, Thunder and Lightning
Snake, Red Snake, Horn Snake, Chequered Snake, Milk Adder, Spot-
ted Adder and “Blotshich Schlange” in Pennsylvania German. The
latter is one of the most common names in some places. It is known
by its grayish color, with three series of brown rounded blotches
bordered with black; about twenty-five in the dorsal row. It has
an arrow-shaped blotch or spot on the top of its head, with the
point of the arrow extending toward the tail, and the under side
is light, with a great many square or rectagular black blotches.
These small square black marks on the under side at once distinguish
it from all other species of reptiles found in his State. While the
175
tail is short, it is not as stumpy nor as heavy as the tails of the
two venomous species of serpents which we have. The largest
specimen which we have collected is forty inches, and the smallest
specimen is nine inches long.
Specimen N21z265 Specimen N27145-b Specimen N? 1265
Specimen N° 7145-b
Specimen N2 1265
Bp
cace
Fig. 16.—Structural Characters of House Snake (Lam-
propeltis doliatus triangulus) .
Natural Size. Drawn under Supervision of H. A.
Surface, Economic Zoologist.
will wolton ~ Del.
The House or Milk Snake, or Spotted Adder, is found from Vir-
ginia to Iowa and northward and occurs throughout Pennsylvania
as the most common snake in the State, excepting the Garter Snake.
We have received it from the following forty-eight out of sixty-
seven counties in this Commonwealth, and it, of course, is found in
the other counties:
AGAIN COMMEY, cores ciccic.s sie Sprembkele ey eArr tae i.cista twictevec ee Fairfield.
Allegheny County, ........ JONSON, w SUG Watts, elses siecle ofa Pittsburg.
l2aovboalohbeelaln (Chr IVES Samm agbooador Wilkinsburg.
NV Ver DSU ew ewer Nis simsre foley ofa vo.creys!s 'etevele laters Carnegie.
COUGAR Wikies clelewisi/o%s ve: ov wilsve-w efstenctal ase Carnegie.
RECO CG i sates) s ohs:oy<!s\iciotniotala\'ebeustois Bridgeville.
Crinkshanks Dr Oe) Wes set severteres Swissvale.
Beaver County: errcc oslcmaces BVMsetal Ste ER aslicwcs thc rels ails oi eve’ bievavoliote fof! usa 'e\e Saxton.
IDJoRu yea ali nics (ER Ae Amel pon orhoninoo oor Smiths Ferry.
Bedrord) COUmiyew eine cieeeoVVRUNAIIS., Is. Ss, -ceeicine scien siees MIVETOLL
Berks | County leetscrticres ate Nelthamen. iE. Wy, cacc.stitesule readin.
NS CCIROT) AV Vc wil)), 4 fajc arcisnciavitenete lars csianete Fleetwood.
MCGTEUITUT ID VV fetisdice cictaietetel ere! alefnteala)-afotets Hamburg.
2 Menelery Js HOS ,) testes ss wees occ. ccoMtle's Tulpehocken.
Bradford sCountyig |. /< EAR ETAT reliee lens, aayeraysleyeatels <ialetelrelsi= New Albany.
BUCKI@OUNEY) ay sclectos icles Onpeniandercy Wes” cent tae eecide cs Passer.
Gro dshalley MS way oie crete aay ee aise ois eye Perkasie.
Camibriay County, S.oee. isc DDESTTATEAAY eh sce e sercletcasel ratcleraebters Patton.
Gar pone COBMGY sell cies coicie Sates pRB F ccrewcrcisccetaretels aie ohetetetererelete Weissport.
Murphy, (De Es, sacwcetcisls c aclee seer
Davis Russels, 2.1. eesccsmscee nee Lansford.
Centres COUNTY, oi eseirtastels Rens Cs Dees, os is's steiafe. stare siniotemte ste State College.
Chester County, .......... PBN Kolwatals (O19 lel Baran condos Aapbao: Parkersburg.
FROUID eV ERGs ais ee aiererceere ie sierersiaterate St. Peters.
Clarion) Coumtyany ce sas caietste Gy Phere wihrs: velesesiticlsietslsiavstetaetete see OL Actes,
Ain Olde VOM. decatarcivtsevsiatereroerarel cate Clarion.
Clearfield County, ...... oT GWE. Hag ferecisicis setae La Jose.
Green. GeO We retosdyonosivetoe ooo McCartney.
Chnton! County, este scissor SMV UMass ¢ Wea Mee srcyae verennioys oletcr eevee Floral.
Caipriog fSi ek taser colon aeieiseny Lock Haven.
Columbia’ County, --.3. 3... Kiuhler, Kis, 2s. -ce esses sere Se Dton):
Crawford County, .........Gilmore, L. B., Bipeecn eee cieetetele Saegerstown.
FTA TUES, SAS atin. hatte avescrsictince, wechelstslave Wilson Mills.
IMG ers Wisely veers eles cite pioneer Guy’s Mills.
Martin's vaois sees. oaslaaiiacieersts Meadville.
IMEC AsE Os ei pres cu Stace ec teteintefetersiaerett Meadville.
Cumberland (County, vs. ncel ill wrt lene nen seca eee eee Lisburn.
GOS ZF ER dec sosstaye roiaresece eve Gsreove stapes tele Balfour.
Ricehey,yMirsss Gr We eis esse clelels New Kingstown.
GarberitS) Pisco see adaeaene Entlerville.
@ressler;, Gale) sie. cschecde ees Shippensburg.
@reamenrn wd. yee esae eet Shippensburg.
Dauphin County, ...sseeseeSober, Miss Martha G., ........ Dauphin
Meredithis EtG Pins. eereeniatiecits Harrisburg.
TAO SATE ERS Ws, Avie aiocletciete ee ere netete Steelton.
UULOE SHE asia, crteleveiatere eisvalere Sis entsehee Hummelstown.
Backenstoe; Di 1G. tee. cco oe OLE. Enter:
Delaware. County, ..2.csss:loopes, Po Re, .dssce ct ck soesiae ce Wayne
FIG COUNTY; i. ciesicb ceinclowie SI AMLCT i Ones usr ae cpa alsa. ie steiciors Union City.
MEISROT Win ise. tes: cis ieevnse (ae 6 eke ole sveseie Waterford.
PATTIE! 3 Cees ae atororateiesetaie e.afaals re ..- Erie.
Clark Ga Wie, esol vanes. \s bis cheval Corry.
Fayette County, <ssccocscolsangse, W. Hu, .ccoscccsccececcet Belle Vernon.
HMrankln" County, ,) siei<c cic OEKONG MW. Da tieeimeiiteccio + cceiete St. Thomas.
Rinick Garnet Ataumcce sc svaenaate Chambersburg.
De some OovAd,) eetemtersisicie eis seiere Mont Alto.
Beatty: TB: ) Svacyseteeiiias sveciciets Quincy.
Fulton County, ..... PRPC [72 ol soy eee Sl DAM PE SSA GA Ol sce McConnellsburg
Covalt, Uta; icutcstavepiemelearnict sis Covalt.
Hutingdon County, ....... efford,. Wi. Ce Ose eee: Huntingdon.
Indiana County, .........- Weehrles (Re Whiteman ccls <'s Indiana.
Jefferson County, ......... Brian (Chas, s. occur er. ae Brockwayville.
SWRI AC Pe Wey: sea cl oral ehamteteienis aia ehas Brookville.
Juniata County, ..........-Haldman, C. G., .......seccevess Thompsontown.
Lancaster County, ........ Mayer, Dit, Tels sraeatee aces /« Willow St.
IWHBLOT als clef cwisiccntetetereabetoteneteis ls: e's Columbia.
Lebanon County, p..ccssceBOhM, J. Gi, ......c0ececcccserce> Onset.
Derrickson, Ss El) sete ace ntente Annville.
SLMAVUGG, \C.2 e a hetels > weloaeieloraiaa ae ins ste Fredericksburg.
WIIG PASS enc oacawaiaereerinetnnie - Lebanon.
Me: aDicty cad Taig ces mn vstovern sreloetaaterd, Misieiais Richland.
Lehigh County is ness ssioe's ROCHET, DT, Js Utuy ins civisigb aia'r tine Walberts.
PLATE XXXI.—Milk Snake or House Snake (Lampropeltis doliatus triangulus).
Photo in Nature by Mr. Wm. H. Fisher,
bs §
i
oy
~~
s
“=
~
—""
aes
=
of
;
‘IOUSLA “H ‘ULAA “II Aq a1nyeN ul peydes30j04g
‘(sound wopo1ajayH) JediA SUIMO[Y IO Joppy ZulpesidsS—IIXxXXx ALVWI1d
5 _
se! ae
aa
? 4
oct
PLATE XXXIII.—Colored Boy Handling Spreading Adder and
Black Snake, showing neither Species is Venomous.
Photographed by the State Zoologist.
‘eTSL ‘ON uetutoedg ‘ed jo
JSLS0O[00Z 3741S 94 JO sOWJO 9U} UI ‘SUIAOW pue SATIS ZIIYM poydeirsojoyg
*(somyiyn)d uUuopo.ezay )
Jeppy pesou-SoH 10 Joppy Ssulpeeidg ‘todiA SUuIMO[G— AIXXX UOALV Id
PLATE XXXV.—Fig. b. Embryos of Hog-nosed Adder or
Blowing Viper, just before birth, showing this species is Ovo-
viviparous. Natural size. Photograph of Pennsylvania Ma-
terial (No. 3376) in the Office of the State Zoologist.
»
, #8 Pa toe ae Ve Pern
a: Qe, Se ee eee ee eee
‘ed JO JSISO[O0Z 91%1S 94} FO 9DWO 94} Ul susulledg Surary jo ydeisojoyd
‘UOTVISOd. SUIYII}S UT ‘(%2U710}U00 uopu.ysiy6p) SoyVUusg pReyseddopD OMT—IAXXX FLW Id
.
mee gman ee
Tage sac ei ot des . =
fe
k
i
I
“tape
Mi
ethos th Bete aS
PLATE XXXVII.—Copperhead Snake opened and photographed to show its
Stomach filled with Seventeen-year Locusts. Specimen No. 6541b in our Col-
lection, sent by Mr. A. P. White.
PLATE XXXVIII.—Embryos of Copperhead Snakes, before
birth, showing that this Snecies produces living young instead
of eggs. Specimen No. 3850a, sent by J. P. Swoope.
Photographed in the Office of the State Zoologist of Pa.
177
TeZerne: COUNEYs, cocscc see Sloane, Ais WEG) po rodsoacorancdbodbobtelankel.geloubonolyg
BATT Se SV VLU Navel tote cts lapeyciadeseleiare! slsrehid.st ate Stoddartsville.
lyeoming; County, ........Geddes, J. M., .........-.0 sence . Williamsport.
Shafer, sWalt, edo COLAD Station.
Monroe County, ....... eee Aer ate lle, seeeecs-mtenaine es cbW ees
Montgomery County, .....Benner, W. M., ........seeeseeee Telford.
\Wifevedo(cign deltzhdellsle Aono ocadopon coc Pottstown.
Montour County, ......... Wertman, Mrs. E. G., .......... Danville.
Northampton County, ....Narne, Dr. #.H., ...........-..- Bethlehem.
DEMETSOM!. ew Awe wesc cieletaete’s tel leisie ls Easton.
Siete (Cl \ Wise cy. doeano onmmogmoounon Easton.
Perry ‘County, <.....<.- «-veebrightbill, Nellie; .............. Marsh Run.
Sines (6b Ibs Satimadoato cpdon Landisburg.
Potter County, ...-..+.++.- (Gigiinehan. Wye ele. aceclonennodosesc Coudersport.
IDlnenehals Jie IES soso een anOUO Dane Coudersport.
Schuylkill County, ........ inaiioyesaes ey, JN aed a cinloere ae EoesoIneRc Schuylkill.
Snyder County) mecmce ssc IRON Wi, JOY caboe cus paSonoaaude Freeburg.
Ievene olay, ID Laly Slee Sohonocanncd Shamokin Dam.
Somerset County, .......-. Siilatiks, daelDbs Sooageno cobusonucUne New Baltimore.
Sulina: COWES qocapoouso\) ils! eave laa \niGulson les oaacbenooaccoan Nordmont.
Susquenanna, County, ...-Miosher, J. Mey cidecs once sos css. New Milford.
BROAN COUNTY accian sasielsiofe co AMANO WS Ore E Ges - cls calisetete © Wellsboro.
GUO | DR Rees os po omeooe U0 bot Wellsboro.
Aen sar 1k<o dl De eee GRIOU CORED COOUOCHE Westfield.
Olinecivs AiGaetdneepannes oc cPoo be coo Mansfield.
Wveiieeial (GOA ap edoo0d\nalle ll Shed See eneaednecencopansnce Sugar Grove.
Vi/ihsloraeds, ACh GaapecocoDomee daa" Sugar Grove.
Wien ail OM OOM tetas cells se VWVRUMECTOD so (Con TNs) jecicceie eis) v niciere a Emilenton.
Washington County, ......Couch, JiOS., ..........---seeeeees Canonsburg.
(Grevielny Mie. SagonadaameacoeOonT Canonsburg.
IMA CINE NALA (dn DO RO GUN ODDO DONO OnIEL Crothers.
\iVfelgare (Coal ane Sago dooce lequullecic.. Wveelaley conponcsonbonecon Honesdale.
Westmoreland County, .. Suakin, Ei, 2. once cess ccc eecc ce sins Mt. Pleasant.
SVOEIG: COUMIMUY sa '0./t ccc: vjereisisioie Inineey ISG MSH a6 soepaoeoincpacoIntd.or Hellam.
ETGOVETS Le Esc, “soc tle olatelssinie)vinjeieteinie Wellsville.
Wi, Wy WEL Uioasecaon Gocacopacde’ Wellsville.
GONE we Es takbiegm vieisicist a)< elelaie c'clvielslere’s Lewisberry.
It lives in cultivated districts, and although harmless and entirely
innocent, there seems to be much superstitious fear and many
‘ridiculous stories concerning it. The name “House Snake” is given
to it because it may be found about the abode of man, which it at
times enters. This is mostly caused by cold weather of fall or
the lower outside temperature of evening or night cause it to seek
a place where the atmosphere is warmer, and thus it may enter
the dwelling, but no harm can come from its presence. Most ridic-
-ulous stories have been told concerning its milking cows, and it
should be enough to say that this is entirely impossible and such
stories are without foundation. It is often seen in or near milk
houses, and is reported as drinking milk from pans. This may be
true, because it is known that many snakes feed upon milk and
eggs when they have the opportunity.
12
178
The House Snake lays eggs, which vary from seven to twenty in
number. These eggs are deposited in loose soil, decaying wood or
sawdust. The young are brightly colored and active, and from
evidences at hand, this snake is not as strictly nocturnal as are
some other species which we have discussed.
Dr. O. P. Hay, in a “Report of the Reptiles and Batrachians of
Indiana,” published in 1892, said: “According to Dr. Goode’s in-
vestigations, this snake is oviparous and guards its nest. When-
ever danger threatens her young the mother finds an asylum for
them down her capacious throat. (See ‘American Association for
the Advancement of. Science,’ 1872.) I have taken eggs of this
species in Illinois that were buried in a pile of manure and more or
less glued together. The egg is two inches long and little less
than one and one-fourth inches in diameter. The covering is parch-
ment-like. It contains a young snake ten inches long.” We prefer
to describe the covering of the egg of the House Snake as leathery.
white and opaque, to distinguish it from the thinner parchment-
like covering of the egg of the Grass Snake.
RiEL Dairies
(MICROTUS PENNS YLVANICUS)
VERTEB
RATES
Undetermined
UNDETERMINED
Fig. 17.—Diagram showing the percentages of
specimens of Food Items of Milk or House Snake
(Lampropeltis doliatus triangulus): 48% per cent.
Field Mice (Microtws pennsylvanicus); 20 per cent.
undetermined Mice; 11 per cent. Unidentified Mam-
mals; 6 per cent. Snakes; 5% per cent. Birds; 3 per
cent. Slugs; 3 per cent. Jumping Mice; 3 per cent.
Undetermined Vertebrates.
Our investigations show that the ova commence to develop about
the middle of May and become fully developed and are laid about
the 10th of August. Our specimen No. 1382 b, collected on that
nat ae
_
179
date, had laid its eggs for the summer. The largest eggs that we
found were one and three-fourths inches long and three-fourths in
diameter. We have collected them-as late as the 25th of October
and have evidences that they hatch during that month and Sep-
tember. The young are nearly nine inches long at the time of
hatching.
There is very little reported by writers upon the food of this
serpent, although Dr. Atkinson has found in its stomach DeKay’s
Snake, and also the Queen Snake or Striped Water Snake. Cope
has also found it feeding upon the Pennsylvania meadow mouse,
and Dr. Merriam in “Science News” has reported its eating the Gar-
ter Snake.
Fig. 17a.—Diagram:showing the percentages of
Food Items of Housé Snake (Lampropeltis doliatus
triangulus ) found during July and August only:
334% per cent. Field Mice; 33144 per cent. Mice; 13
per cent. Birds; 7 per cent. Unidentified Mam-
mals; 7 per cent. Snakes; 6 per cent. Slugs.
In our dissections of ninety specimens we found forty-eight with
empty stomachs, and of those which contained food the following
table gives the different kinds of animals eaten and the number of
specimens of this species feeding upon each kind of material:
No. Specimens: Food Materials:
< } Slugs.
2 Undet. Vertebrates.
a Red-bellied Snake.
i Rock Snake.
1 Undet. Bird.
2
Robin’s Eggs.
*
180
Undet. Mammals.
Jumping Mouse.
Undet. Mice.
Meadow Mice (M. pennsylvanicus).
Microtus sp. Mice (uncertain species).
White-footed mouse.
House mouse.
BPR mo WwW ee db
/INIDENTIFIED \
VERTEBRATES
Fig. 17b.—Diagram showing the percentages of
Food Items of House Snake (Lampropeltis doliatus
triangulus ) found during September and October
only: 67 ‘per cent. Field Mice; 16144 per cent. Un-
identified Vertebrates; 16% per cent. Unidentified
Mammals.
When we consider that the above table shows positively that
more than half of those individuals which contained food had
recently been eating mice of some kind, and that these same mice
are among the most destructive creatures of the house, barn,
storeroom and farm, we can see sufficient justification for preserv-
ing the House Snake or Milk Snake, notwithstanding the unjust
superstition, ignorance and fear with which it is regarded.
No. 21. Leterodon platirhinos (Latr). Spreading Adder or Blowing
Viper. Plates XXXII, XXXIV, XXXV.
This snake is another species of reptile with a great variety of
common names. It is variously known as the Spreading Adder,
Hissing Viper, Blowing Viper, Blow Viper, Hog-nosed Snake, Blow-
ing Adder, Hissing Adder, Spreading Viper, Hog-nosed Viper, Pilot,
Bastard Rattle Snake or Rossel Boshtard and Blaser, and other
common names. Most of these names refer to its habit of spreading
181
its head quite flat when angered and hissing in a threatening man-
ner. There is no more striking example of pure bluff than that
which is exhibited by this entirely harmless snake. Not one man
in a thousand has the courage to pick up this snake while it is
spreading, blowing and striking, but we have seen this done by
inexperienced and uninformed persons. We photographed a boy
in the act of handling one of these serpents while it was enlarging
$
YD
LR he K )
| Qi /
AY RUG An) f) Y
uN WS VOUT y
N Nt Vi} i404 ,
DDD:
“eee
Fig. 18.—Structural Characters of Spreading Adder (Heterodon platirhinos).
All Natural Size excepting lower right hand figure which is 4% Natural Size.
Drawn under supervision of the Economic Zoologist.
N2 6707
and flattening its head. This is shown in Plate XXXIII. The fact
that the fear of serpents is not natural but acquired from older per-
sons is shown by the attitude of this little colored boy, James Dean,
of Harrisburg, Pa., who at the age of five years came into our office
and was very much interested in playing with the living snakes.
One day he asked if he could have one, and upon being questioned
as to what he would do with it, replied, “I want to take it home.”
When asked “For what purpose?” he replied, “To get Mam to
cook it!” °
A very valued and intelligent correspondent in the southeastern
part of Pennsylvania wrote to us, endeavoring to call our attention
in a kindly manner to a mistake which he thought we had made in
182 . 7
saying that “The Copperhead and Rattler are the only poisonous
species of reptiles found in this State.” He said, “Surely you have
forgotten the Spreading Adder.” Nevertheless, we here again re-
peat the statement that this most threatening snake is entirely
harmless, although one of the greatest “bluffers” known in Nature.
it must be remembered that it is not unusual for harmless creatures
to simulate by color or actions those which have decided means of
defense.
The name “Hognosed Adder” is given from the flattened up-
turned snout or nose, and the specific name platerhinos means
“flat-nose.” This is doubtless used by the serpent in boring into
the ground to find a suitable place for bringing forth its young, or
passing a dry or cold season. One of the justifications that some
people find in considering this species of serpent poisonous is that
they say it will strike itself after being teased for some time and
fall over dead. Fortunately, we had an opportunity to test the
truth of this report. We found one that was molting or casting
its outer skin, and the skin over the eyes had loosened enough to
make it temporarily blind. After it had been teased for a short
time and had thrown itself into a frenzy by spreading, hissing and->
striking in various directions it struck backwards toward its body
but did not hit itself by three or four inches, and at once fell over
apparently lifeless. Its mouth was open and dirt could be poked
into it without any evidence of sensation on the part of the snake,
but one trick showed that it*was aware of what was being done
to it. It persisted in lying apparently limp and lifeless but upside-
down. Every time we would turn it right side up, even though it
was simulating death, it would time after time gradually turn back
until its back rested upon the ground and the ventral side was up.
Perhaps this was an effort on its part to aid its appearance of
being dead, and thus induce its tormentor to pass it by as a creature
that was hors de combat, as do the opossum, curculio, and other
forms of animal life practice the same deception. It is needless
to say that it had not injured itself and was in its normal condi-
tion in less than half an hour.
The genus //eterodon, to which belongs the Hog-nosed Snakes, is
distinguished by keeled dorsal scales; in twenty-three to twenty-
five rows; anal plate bifid and snout recurved and keeled. In fact,
the last named feature is enough to distinguish the two species of
this genus immediately from all other serpents. The Spreading
Adder, which is *the one species of the genus found in this State,
is described as brownish or reddish, with about twenty-eight dark
dorsal blotches besides spots on the sides and half rings on the tail.
There is one form (var. niger) which is uniformly black, and of
183
which we collected one specimen in Centre county, Pa., in Septem-
ber, 1900. The length is about thirty inches or less, and the tail
is short and thick. In this regard it closely resembles the veno-
mous serpents.
This reptile is found in the eastern part of the United States
rather abundantly and no doubt occurs in every county in
the State of Pennsylvania. We have received it from the counties
named in the list, which is not yet sufficiently complete to justify
us in concluding that it does not occur in the northern district,
from which we do not have specimens.
Bedford County, Scio WACH UC an] ed 2 Sees SO SG ICOIn CCSD coes Saxton.
IS Crs SC OUMIGY ieise. « clare) clelere Leibelsperger, I. H., sseceee ee Meet wood,
Tene OOM oics oo oso severe WVViGb ya Ate Eis asta sic (cicte sinieicieis Sisto sys Altoona.
Carpon) COUNCys, seeccsscvcele WMlibhy cline on MoadecopoGosoconoc Summitt Hill.
Chester, County, <......... @limensom’,, Wis) Weg scjecwctee sos 0 Honey Brook.
(Gnllbiigeneslae ly Villon Golocooupcecdoon Spring City.
Cumberland County, ..... GAULVIEI RA uel cotta wire carseicewtercste Entlersville.
Franklin County, ......... isloinaoehiols Ido IDa5 agoogucoceoocndG Mercersburg.
DCM ISOMNE 1 CaAv sale clsicsesisiricioine’s's/ TON Alto:
INEVST Se ieller Greig aitseccleveleiciel ctet ererste/eisicse --Fayetteville.
Huntingdon County, ...... IDE OC] «sate cine ols, saiais: are cies ev niere Huntingdon.
VOLO SS alls lls! tee ciehereienvete cisiaie selels Huntingdon.
TUIZeEN es COUNTY: marie meses CAMMDDCIIS Bt. Wig sjarereres| ietarencisicle <1 Wilkes-Barre.
TAMILS VV Ss. aisieralslerscicloheelcieie’s --- Stoddartsville.
PE Uae Sen Des acetetetlcccsts eigie es’ ales Glen Summit Sp’gs.
PASMUTIONLY: Wis Evang aw crcie si cui eteais © s/o’ Glen Lyon.
Monroe. County 5) 2. 6...5<201e ss PANT Gras SU Wah we atenateve's wreseie ve csr oace Shawnee.
PFSK CHC Fides te cieatetelclelis aieraniere owes EK. Stroudsburg.
Blakeslee, Josephine, ........... Blakeslee.
Gould, Mrs. E. V., . ereisicisl alates EXOT:
Montour. County, 06. ..%.< VVIES Cop Min Sin Grob ras. sresureieis:cisi ctetaela sie Danville.
Northampton County, AO MLONG Des tradihay \s slays! «state cia a'el eae ers N. Bangor
Northumberland County, .
ANSOn Dire On He, sic
able ea cL SUL.
Berry! COUMEY seca. seiioe.s ¢ Brightbill, A: A., .. Deceit ars En:
Meckendorn , Ds Wes satcie scree viele -New Bloomfield.
(COMME I (Crea. Goaddongdnoscoon noun Andersonburg.
OWE Epi E lt Etsy a ayes stots naleve praia ces Landisburg.
1a elie oy Eas lee Ie AAnOAOCAGOO Marsh Run.
Union County, yespigelmeyer,..Wim., o.5.s00..d08 Millmont.
MeO (OOUNCY Wrens cits seis VIVE MO ELIC TIUIY: sp vsieteiccciatwatewwiclel oie el ole\otace Dillsburg.
It lives in dry woods and sandy hillsides, and is often found
under bushes by berry pickers, who take unnecessary fright upon
seeing it, especially if it is so disturbed as to commence its contor-
tions and hissing.
The Hog-nosed Adder, or Blowing Viper, has been said by many
writers to be oviparous or egg-laying, but our specimens do not
give us facts to agree with such statements. Our specimen No.
3336, collected August 5th, contained young embryos six and one-
half inches in length, each in a very delicate transparent membrane.
184
These are photographed and reproduced in a plate in this Bulletin,
showing decidedly that this reptile is, or at least at times may be
ovoviviparous, or bearing living young. The young are borne during
the latter part of August or September. During the first week of
September we found specimens ten inches in length, which showed
the same characters of striking, spreading, blowing, simulating
death as have been described in this Bulletin for the adult.
The food of the Hog-nosed Adder reported in literature is as
follows: Mice (Morse); birds’ eggs (International Encyclopedia) ;
toads and frogs (Morse), and insects (Holbrook). No one has defi-
nitely published a statement of their own observations upon the
food of this serpent, and consequently little is known about it
with certainty.
INSECTS
FROM
Fig. 19.—Diagram showing 'the percentages of
Food Items of Spreading Adder or Blowing Viper
(Heterodon platirhinos): 41% per cent. Toads; 12%
per cent. Insects; 4 per cent. Birds; 33 per cent. In-
sects from Toads; 4 per cent. Insects from Birds;
4 per cent. Salamanders.
Of the twenty-seven specimens which we have examined we found
the following number of individuals with each of the food materials
contained in the table below:
No. Specimens: Food Materials:
6 Undet. Insect fragments.
Insects with Toad remains.
Insects with Bird remains.
Acrididz (Grasshoppers).
Stink-bug.
17-year Cicada.
Undet. Lepidoptera.
a a
185
al Undet. Species Bees.
il Granite Salamander.
1 Tadpole.
10 Toads.
1 Undet. Bird.
By a study of the above table it will be seen that only one was
known to feed upon a bird; none were found with eggs or shells,
and none with frogs, although we have several containing insects,
one having filled itself with 17-year locusts, and two had eaten
caterpillars. However, the most striking fact to be learned by a
study of the above table is that the chief element of food of the
Spreading Adder is the Common Toad, of which ten specimens had
been eaten. This is very unfortunate, because in the wholesale
destruction of the toad is found the most serious feature of the
life or habits of the Spreading Adder. We fear that the destruc-
tion of a few varieties of insects by the Hog-nosed Adder can not
atone for the loss of so many toads, and from the economic stand-
point this serpent must be considered objectionable because it
feeds upon toads, which are known to be decidedly beneficial.
Family 2. Crotalidw. The Rattlesnakes and Cepperheads.
The serpents belonging to the Family Crotalide are to be recog-
nized by the presence of large poison fangs in the front of the
upper jaw and the deep pit on the side of the head, plainly visible
between the eye and the nostril. The poison fangs are erectile or
so constructed that they lie down when not in use and rise and
stand forward when the serpents prepare to strike. No other
reptiles have the pit here mentioned and illustrated in Fig. 22.
The body is uniformly stout, head flat and triangular, and neck
slender. The pupil of the eye is elliptical in shape and stands
vertical, as does the pupil of a cat’s eye. It dilates or contracts
immediately with a decrease or increase of light, respectively. The
tail is short and small; the scales are keeled in the Pennsylvanian,
the anal plate is entire, and the plates beneath the tail are not
divided. This is a family of American reptiles, containing about
sixty species, all of which are notorious as being venomous and
consequently objectionable. All are ovoviviparous or bring forth
living young, and do not kill their prey by constricting it or squeez-
ing it, but by the use of the mouth only.
However, there are only a few in each brood and in this State
but one brood per year. There are two species found commonly in
this State and a third which is reported from the western part of
the State.
The different species of this fortunately small family of venomous
serpents may be distinguished at once by the following key:
186
The Analytic Key to the Family Crotalide.
A. With no rattles at end of tail. No. 22. Agkistrodon contortrix (L.). Copper-
head Snake. Page 186.
AA. With rattles at end of tail. No. 26.
B. Blotches on back in seven series; rattles small. No. 23. Sistrurus catenatus
(Rafin). Prairie Rattle Snake. Page 190.
BB. Blotches on back in three rows, forming zigzag cross-blotches; rattles
large. No. 24. Crotalus horridus (L). Common Rattle Snake. Page 191.
No. 22. Agkistrodon contortrix (L.). Copperhead Snake. Plates XXXVI,
. XXXVI, XXXVI.
\)
ion
aA,
oy
KA
POA
iN
Mi
Ni
Drawn by Will-F}-Waltor
Fig. 20.—Structural Characters of Copperhead Snake (Agkistrodon contortrix) .
Slightly less than Natural Size.
_ Drawn by the Artist of the Zoologist’s Office, under Supervision of H. A.
Surface.
The Copperhead Snake has a great variety of common names
among which are Cotton-mouth, Hazel-head, Red Viper, Copper-
belly, Red Adder, Deaf Adder, Pilot Snake and “Kupper Schlange,”
in Pennsylvania German. The word “Pilot” should never be ap-
plied to this snake, but it is impossible for writers to change a
custom that has been so generally. established as that of applying
this term to the Copperhead Snake in the eastern part of our State,
instead of to that form of Black Snake to which it properly belongs.
There is no creature more treacherous, despicable nor dangerous
in this State than the Copperhead Snake. It lurks in bushes or
grass or among stones, and strikes without warning and often
187
without provocation. Compared with it, the Rattler is a ereature
of honor, as the latter strikes only for food or in self defense and
it almost always sounds a warning before striking. This gives an
opportunity for persons who are on the alert to avoid its venomous
attack.
The Copperhead Snake is described as being hazel brown, touched
with coppery red; back with a series of fifteen to twenty-five V-
shaped blotches; pale yellow, with thirty-five to forty-five dark spots
on each side, and the scales arranged in .twenty-three rows. The
length is about forty inches, or very rarely more.
This dangerous reptile is found from the northeastern part of
the United States to Wisconsin and southward, mostly in damp
places, although not confined to such localities. Fortunately, it
is extinct in most of the cultivated districts of this State which
have been long settled, and while it is not decreasing rapidly in the
wild. mountainous parts of the Commonwealth, its numbers are
being reduced until it is not to be found in some counties. We have
received it from the counties in Pennsylvania listed below:
GATS OUI EV erate clelsicie cls eintzelmamn,, We. (ieee «6.06 0012 Orrtanna.
Allegheny County, ........ POMMSONE ve, weet ocheels sons Berieies, om Pittsburg.
ATMS Ons» COUNLY;, -isceusINAIl. oI Wag nc. bikurdcoiccle cas cettets Dayton.
AMNSHOUSE,: Al Di, << sic sven esicaise cre Leechburg.
Beaver COuUNnLY,) fac ncciese cE. HS EQsg) Bee clits a tiotctes ere viele Smith’s Ferry.
Reed ee GSi5 aa sies os siecle atstetan's « Baden.
Bedtord County, \-...\...-.. Kams> dev. W. H.,...........Hopewell.
Berka! County. 2. «lec ceri Gricsmer? (GiwBes waives ss a0, cele Spangsville.
ISlighoe (Gran hela.ee 5 San cdoeoooor Wie By EUS ECS) oe. carte «\npjsieeroe i DY LONe,
Carbon County, ........... SaluMING Herat cerry. /..2 ockcdatneiine Weissport.
eMEVEs COUMEY 5b ciaic «cle clae’s's Walliams. GoW s Ex. , nsvsteuaistsusie cite Lemont.
@hester County;,) «... 2:0. sss DEAUGCMCES TOS, pacitw. ollele tise sie 6 Coatesville.
Clarion) County, \.s% rx st es « Kartnan Mie Mi. ss. .2..< spies aClarion,
PNOLG ee We wEee sates lite ec tenon:
CHA EOM COUDLY me asticesic sites VVIDILE, CAGi Ene, fu cess oaidiae oie eles ov e's Lock Haven.
Cumberland County, ...... (en estes She Be ee acerbic sohadoce © Carlisle.
Dauphin County, ......... AGH oaths OV <gte oats azetois thie wlssaietsskeieverst LyKkens.
IBA KeTIStOC. (Clicks sisie cele erd elses Fort Hunter.
Hayettes County, visser ts HeIr Lee VV EM oPr helices sie lopseieielc onotern ec Belle Vernon.
Hramislinr COUNLY, sce stn'- «DIXON, We Ds, ic auc) cries odie cise. Ss mE OMAR:
de Veveitaho(si mn ofan D BPE Sree are ricoe Mercersburg.
NT STOTT a Cs AE Ste tne cielo ers ereiecia Mont Alto.
Wilton> COUNtY;, w s-10 ste 5a PESAUUINSEN Ate Cory) ates «feinis ein eloptorsie Sioere Warfordsburg.
Huntingdon County, ......Gibbs, BH. H. C., .............. ... Huntingdon.
UOMD erie det wan ne daciede<s + aeons Aexananria.
MEGGETT Ey. a5 cele 2 ole visheete nus Ste Alexandria.
TROTEOTO WV TIN, - ois, <:0:c1s) sie! s.n: 6:0; eat oles Huntingdon.
Mdianas |COUNELY:, %e2:-siae seil> VUTEC LEEDS VWieg. yekn pais aetecareisjsi0rs Indiana.
uniatar CGuUNbY, ce «sicloa =< WOCET abs Or asap cadets > snes Pleasant View.
Hoyt Hs dei cetens aoa ds let WELLL OWN,
Lancaster County, ........ Pen TOS@y lasses alsyi sass stele teres .---Drumore.
188
Lebanon County, .. Peiffer, L. ‘S.,
Derickson, S. H.,
se Alesar. ol T..
...Ashton, Walter,
ve Wests Mins: (Gra Pa) scte'e @cjcie
Monroe County,
Northampton County,
Montour County, ......
Perry County,
Warren County 5. ssl<cicsiste ste Wells, R. J.,
Washington County, ..... EMITEO rs Tien coteeecn eco etnerste
Westmoreland County,....Brinton, G. M., ............
Wyomins County, ciiiccc.s Smiigh:s Wel Os > .., ete eres artctevers
Welles, R. C.,
Lowe, E.,
VOrks COUNTY. se «. selenccss er ainds HO
Fortunately, it is not a reptile that wanders far from one fixed
place of abode, and thus in regions where it does not frequently
ee
rd
sere ee ewes eens
ee ey
ee
elect Fredericksburg.
Ferectee Annville.
BAe N. Water Gap.
sipeverere Easton.
pop noe! Dahanrall hte.
Ss avetelese: srepete tae Brightbill, Mrs. Margaret,
....Marsh Run.
occur it is not often liable to be found at unexpected moments.
These reptiles often live together and hibernate in dens or re-
treats that are suitable to them. It is true that great numbers of
them are taken at one time from hollow logs, caves or dens.
Fig.
Food Items of Copperhead Snake
21.—Diagram
tortria):
8 per cent. Undetermined Mammals;
Bombycine Larve;
showing ‘the percentages of
(Agkistrodon
2 per cent. Snakes; 14 per cent. Insects;
23 per cent.
4% per cent. Shrews;
con-
44% per
cent. House Mice; 231% per cent. Field Mice; 13 per
cent. Undetermined Mice; 5 per cent. Batrachians;
2 per cent. Birds.
The
being
stood
Copperhead agrees with the other members of this family in
ovoviviparous, or bearing living young.
as explained in other pages of this bulletin that these are
enclosed in a membranous shell but are retained until hatched.
It must be under-
189
Our dissection shows that in the early part of June these eggs
are about one and one-half inch in length on a yolk, with covering,
very closely resembling a true egg. Gradually the embryo develops
and the yolk is absorbed, and the young is born from the latter part
of August to the early part of October. Our specimen No. 2550,
collected on the 18th of September, contained eggs one and three-
fourths inches in length, with the development of the embryo
nearly complete. These could not have been born until October.
From six to ten are born at a time. Dr. Atkinson writes “A female
kept in the laboratory of the Museum gave birth to six young on
the 28th of August, 1900. The young are poisonous at an early age.
One of these young eight days old bit the writer on the finger and
caused a painful inflammation which continued four days.”
This reptile is reported as feeding on frogs and disabled birds,
and Dr. Atkinson has found in its stomach the larve of insects,
cicadas, locusts and small birds. We have found it feeding on the
following material:
No. Specimens: Food Materials:
3 Undet. Insect fragments.
Undet. Larve.
17-year Cicada.
Undet. Lepidoptera.
Polyphemus moth (larve).
Io Moth (larve).
Imperial Moth (larve).
Regal Moth (larvae).
Oak Worms (Anisota sp.)
Undet. Vertebrate.
Granite Salamanders.
House Snake.
Sparrow.
Undet. Mammals.
Opplossums.
Undet. Mice.
Meadow Mice (M. pennsylvanicus).
Meadow Mice (Microtus sp.)
White-footed Mouse.
House Mice.
Undet Squirrels.
Undet. Shrews.
Mole Shrew (Blarina sp.)
RFaowmowwworRrerRtnr NWR YP DY DY KH OH
bo
el le
From the above list it will be seen that the food of the Copper-
head to a great extent consists of large insects, especially larvae
which fall to the ground from the leaves on which they were feed-
ing, and also of mammals of various kinds, especially the most
obnoxious species of mice. Note that six different individuals were
found gorged with Seventeen-year Locusts or Cicadas.
190
From the economic standpoint of its feeding habits in relation to
mankind, it is very beneficial, and if it were not for the careless
use of a most dangerous weapon we should be justified’in recom-
mending its preservation.
No. 23. Sistrurus catenatus (Rafin.). Prairie Rattlesnake. Plate XXXIX.
eq el) S y
TE LASS
re Drown ‘by-Will~ f-Wolton
cisteurue catenatus
Drawn from preserved dpecimen
Fig. 22.—Structural Characters of the Prairie Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus).
Natural size. Drawn in the Office of the Economic Zoologist.
The Prairie Rattlesnake is often called the Massassauga, from the
Indian name for this reptile. The name of the genus Sistrurus, 18
from two Greek words, meaning “Rattle-tail;” and the name of the
species catenatus, is from the Latin, “chained,’ or “forming a
chain,” and refers to the color pattern.
It is not usually known that two species of Rattlesnakes are to
be found in the State of Pennsylvania, and also that they are
described as belonging to different Genera or major groups, al-
though they are of the same family. The Common Rattle Snake,
which is generally found in rocky places through the State, belongs
‘to the genus Crotalus, The difference between the genera Si%s-
trurus (which is the Prairie Rattle Snake) and Crotalus (which in-
191
cludes our Common Rattler) is that the former has the top of the
head with about eight plates arranged in a rosette, and the rattle
is always very small, while the latter (or Crotalus) has the top of
the head covered with small scales instead of plates, and the
rattle is generally large.
The Prairie Rattler is brown or black, with about seven rows of
deep blotches, about thirty-four such blotches in each row, and
each blotch with a yellow edge and a blackish shade toward the
outside and edged with yellow. From the pit to the neck there
is a yellow streak. Occasional specimens may be found which are
all black (melanic), as with the Hog-nosed Adder. The ventral
plates number one hundred and thirty-five to one hundred and
fifty, and the length rarely exceeds thirty inches.
This species of reptile is the one found mostly on the prairies from
Ohio to Minnesota and southward, and lives mostly in grassy
fields. It is rare in Pennsylvania, being found only in the western
part of the State. We have not collected nor seen a specimen from
Pennsylvania, although Dr. Atkinson, of the Carnegie Museum,
Pittsburg, Pa., published in his “Reptiles of Allegheny County,”
records of the occurrence of this species. Thus it occurs only in
the extreme western part of the State, according to our present
knowledge of its distribution in this Commonwealth. There are
no published observations on its food or feeding habits, although
Dr. Stejneger, in his “Report on the Poisonous Snakes of North
America,” quotes Dr. Taylor as saying that it feeds on mice and
other rodents. No doubt in grassy regions it takes the place of the
Common Rattle Snake and its food must be very similar, with
due variations for the difference in haunts, as this species lives
mostly in grassy fields, while the next is to be found mostly in
rocky places. Consequently a variation in food should be expected,
with more insects, particularly grasshoppers, taken by this species.
No. 24. Crotalus horridus (L.). Common Ratilesnake. Piates XL, XLI.
There is no mistaking the Rattle Snakes, as they are the only
serpents with horny beads or rattlers on their tails. The noise
which they produce is also characteristic, and every person who
once hears it will never forget it. It sounds very much like escap-
ing steam or like a mingling of steam escaping and the shrill song
of certain species of crickets or locusts. The noise is no doubt
made to frighten away intruders and thus preserve the store of
venom which may be necessary for saving the life of the serpent
on another occasion or for taking its food. This venom is secreted
slowly, and after the snake strikes two or three times there is
generally not enough left to produce very serious results. Thus it
192
might be unable to continue to defend itself or capture its prey if it
should be so prodigal as to waste its venom. Mankind and nearly
all forms of animal life know the sound as well as the odor of this
reptile, and have learned to avoid it. It might be asked why the
Rattle Snake is blessed with a rattle as a means of protection, while
its cousin, the Copperhead, is doomed to go through the world
without sounding a similar alarm for driving away intruders, and
thus preserving its venom for future needs. This may be explained
by observing the difference in the habits of the two species. The
Rattle Snake lies quiet, coiled upon a stone, log, rock or hummock,
and is often inconspicuous and entirely unseen by the person or
creature which it drives away by its sound. It does not generally
attempt to flee or crawl from an intruder. The Copperhead remains
inactive or attempts to shrink away to a place of safety, until it
finds it is discovered, when it will put itself*on the defensive.
Vigilance and its tendency to retire from danger take the place of
the warning rattles. It should be added that in taking their prey
the Rattle Snakes do not use their rattles nor fangs, and where the
prey is small enough to be captured and eaten without injecting
venom into it, they reserve their secretion.
The Common Rattle Snake can be known by its yellowish brown
to dark colors of various shades, with three rows of irregular
brown spots running together more or less and forming zigzag
cross blotches; the tail is black, while the body may vary from
almost black to light yellow with spots or blotches. There is a
pale line from the mouth to the eye with a very dark patch below
it. The ventral plates are one hundred and sixty-five to one hun-
dred and seventy-five in number, and the total length rarely exceeds
sixty inches. The largest that we have received or collected is
fifty inches long. There is a popular belief in this State that the
yellow individuals are females and the black ones are males, but
our dissections of all the specimens that we could procure have
proven that this is not the truth, but rather that the color is light-
est immediately after moulting, and darkest just before moulting,
although it appears the yellow is the predominating color of the
females and the darker shade prevails among the males.
There is also a popular belief that the age of the snake is to be
recognized by the number of rattles and the “button,” or small
rattle at the tip. Most persons think a rattle is formed each year
and consequently a serpent with fourteen rattles and a button
should be fifteen years of age. However, this is not true, as we
have seen them shed or lose two or three of their rattles at one
time in their cages in zoological gardens. Also, we have kept
a careful account of the number of rattles in regard to length or
PLATE XXXIX.—Prairie Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) .
Photographed by the State Zoologist.
2
'
Ge
ce
oo
i”
re
Ve. 1y
aoe
7
a
‘
Ze
y
4
;
of
‘4
w
-
PLATE XL.—Common Rattlesnake (C otallus horridws), dis-
sected and photographed to show a Common Rat (Mus decu-
manus) in its stomach. Specimen No. 3211, sent by John M.
Schenck.
PLATE XLI.—Common Rattlesnake (Crotallus horridus).
Photographed in Nature by Mr. Wm. H. Fisher.
a el ae =
ess
ion 1
7
a
PLATE XLII.—Common Rattlesnake (Crotallus horridus), dissected and
photographed to show embryonic young. Showing this Species bears living
young instead of laying eggs. Specimen No, 7558, sent by J. C. Williams.
193
size of the serpent, and find that there is no definite relationship
whatever. The rattle itself is only a horny outer-growth of the
epidermis or outer skin, and portions of it may be broken off or
lost at any time. The vigor with which it is used by its owner is
liable to result in its being broken as it hits against some hard
object, and although it is true that others are formed from time
to time there is no truth in the statement that they are retained by
the reptile in such a manner as to definitely indicate age. Of course,
an unusually long rattle will be found only on an old individual, but
on others of the same age it might be very short. The size of a
snake is the most certain indication of its age, although this also
varies with the amount of food that it has been able to obtain. As
a rule, female snakes are larger than males. This is in accordance
with the observed conditions of most species of cold blooded verte-
brates.
There is also a popular belief that the Rattle Snake coils itself
around regularly, like a rope, and strikes from this coil. This is
impossible. Let a person coil a rope and then attempt to uncoil
it in the same manner that would be necessary for the snake to
follow to strike from such a position, and he will see that it must
turn over and over in the uncoiling. While snakes of all kinds
do often coil, it shows they never strike from a coil, nor from a
stretched out position. In striking they curve the front portion
of the body (horizontally n t vertically) somewhat like the letter
“S,’ and their reach in striking is about the distance that this
zigzag curve permits them to extend themselves when all the
“slack” is played out. There is a popular belief that snakes jump
at persons, even for considerable distances. This also is entirely
fallacious. No snake is able to strike more than two-thirds or three-
fourths of the length of its body. It is impossible for a snake to
stand or run on its tail only, and even in its most vigorous attacks
the tail is not raised from the ground. The stories of snakes of any
kind standing on their tails and chasing men, women and children
are untrue, although it must be remembered that, as already said
on a previous page of this Bulletin, the Black Snakes will on rare
occasions pursue individuals who show their timidity by running
from them, and since these snakes are very long they are able to
raise their heads, neck and front part of the body from the ground,
and by this means can look over the top of the grass through
which they are running.
The Common Rattle Snake is found from New England to the
Rocky Mountains mostly in rocky places. Its coloration is such
that it is generally protected as it lies in the sunshine on the rocks
and logs. However common it may be in some portions: of this
13
194
State it has been so reduced in numbers in our civilized districts
as to be practically extinct in some regions. We have received
specimens from the counties listed below:
Adams Se COUMEY gs weleree kirsis Momson, C. &., : ... Bendersville.
12lonanacshopd Dey lplan eon sese ooMceo aC Aspers.
Carbon County, TRASSEM a eS DER ers aoe adion Dad aa oUt cic Weissport.
Butler (County ga.sa-- <0 McKinley, ws Else manner e = Harrisville.
Centre \CoOUmeEy., ace ee cere Musser] GeGs,, tance cr cic nitwlerrtae ee Roland.
Clearfield County, ..Brown, G. W., . Sabula.
Clinton County, EAT VEY: On AG ne: oyrcis catia tsaiets Flemington.
Franklin County,
., Delonge, ©. As,
. Mont Alto.
SHalechusiey IBS MGS OS oongooooonoo dct Mayetteville.
Fulton County, Bi slieSih Aalees nemo ds dbus conodocuad od Oublin Mills.
SchenckisJt Ve, caecwe ts oe re le
Jackson, Miss Mabel, ...........McConnellsburg.
Millist, A. N.,
er ee ee a)
Sipes Mills.
Huntingdon County, ...... IaMURO LC? Jes iby eolceeo Gn OO OnGOOOCOL Mt. Union.
Indiaman COUNEY 4 cect erin BV Vie ir) Se ECan VW arse etntncelletetareletes fel eielolelate Indiana.
MuzernesCoultys sss! sof! ANUS, WM1., ..-----2-eseeeeeeees Stoddartsville.
PEUTIC S ile WV ie sleds sere tetere tence helen on ciel oveuetans Wilkes-Barre.
Lycoming County, DITO = SW. Hees stare vercreteicioustenslahetavateier Cogan Station.
. ID Wen a Ge oeceadaocodocnous Cogan Station.
IDyefanaui=fepaiy (Oh. MOET Ana aarpooo or Okome.
iD AAS Oe o eh n res oot ane aciee co oct i -. Cogan Station.
MOnroe eCOUMEY AN ei clensie= YNMUeah e.My Med PAGE ao aaeane cos ‘N. Water Gap.
Northumberland County,.Leitzell, HE. A., .........-....e06. Northumberland.
Perry County occ. sarciiele« Beto GOTG, dele Ans cisineiee aber miei Marsh Run.
Susquehanna County, ....Quinn, J. C., ..-. sees eee ee eee eee Susquehanna.
TiozaCounty,. -.2-4.--429. AUarews, Spel ees cree bereey yb Cte Wellsboro.
ain oA SEG Tc coraele.e, oie petedeiainfar ela sienere Westfield.
He Monydiciatels sito se Wereeiocmt oso AOUOe Westfield.
Warren County, .....-.-...-HOOK, D. Buy ca.es. od teenie oe ein Corydon.
Washington County, ..... GOUGH ss DOSS cckeie wieksecteieleraststeyniers Hickory.
There are no doubt other counties in which it occurs, and we
hope to have specimens from these in time. We should receive
more specimens were it not that in some places the oil, skin and .
hearts are used as quack medicines. There is absolutely no virtue
in such a disgusting prescription as a fresh Rattle Snake’s heart to
be swallowed entire for consumption. It is true that one or two
persons have been reported as having been cured by such treat-
ment, but there is no evidence to show that this was the cause of
improved health. The skins of Rattle Snakes are sometimes worn
by superstitious or credulous persons with an erroneous belief that
they cure rheumatism. This useless practice is also adopted with
the skin of the eel. The custom no doubt comes from the old idea
of Similia similibus curantur or “like cures like.” The flexibility of
the eel’s or rattler’s skin is no doubt supposed to impart its virtues
195
to limbs stiffened with rheumatism, even though but a piece of the
skin of the eel or Rattle Snake be applied thereto.
The oil of the Rattle Snake finds ready sale among the less
settled districts of this State as a sovereign remedy for deafness
and various ills of mankind. It is sold at a very high price and may
even have a local value of four dollars per pound. However, it
is decidedly a “quack” remedy notwithstanding the faith given it
by mountaineers and woodmen who when tkey can not produce it
for their own use order it at local drug stores, but in educated
communities it finds no sale as it is not used. Reputable physicians
never prescribe it any more than they use the skin of the Rattle
Snake or eel for rheumatism. There may be some virtue in the
penetrating and softening oil for deafness, especially in some cases
which are caused by a dryness of the interior of the ear or the
hardening of the secretions, but other kinds of oil, such as sweet
oil, would serve the same purpose fully as effectually. The use of
Rattle Snake oil for deafness again may come from the old theory
of like producing like, as the Rattle Snake is supposed to have a
keenly developed sense of hearing, the virtues of which are trans-
mitted in the oil. If such doctrines were true we should eat the
flesh of ducks if we would swim, the flesh of rabbits if we would
run, and of birds if we would fiy!
There have been most remarkable stories published concerning
the dens of Rattle Snakes and some other species, and while a
great many persons have doubted these, we must acknowledge that
investigations give facts proving they are true. Rattle Snakes
and Copperheads do often live in local spots, such as rocky sides or
peaks of mountains, in very great numbers where they continue to
congregate and mutiply. At times they will be found_in such dens
by hundreds, but do not appear to leave them for any great dis-
tance, as they generally have holes under the rocks into which
they retire at night and for winter hibernation.
Dr. J. T. Rothrock, former State Forestry Commissioner, has
just reported to us that Mr. Christian Wagaman, of Fayetteville,
Franklin county, Pa., on August 1, 1906, found a den of Rattle
Snakes within five miles of Mont Alto, Franklin county, Pa., where
he killed one hundred and forty individuals in one day, and the per-
son to whom he related the occurrence went there two days after-
ward and killed forty, and within a few days Mr. W. returned and
killed seventy more. In the northwestern part of Centre county
is a similar den, which at this writing is undisturbed. Another
den is also reported to us as being situated in Huntingdon county,
on the southern peak of the second or third mountain south of
Spring Grove Mills (Centre county). We have records of other
196
snake dens in this State. No doubt readers know of many, and we
shall be glad to correspond with them upon the subject.
While most reports record the Rattle Snakes and Copperheads
as being nocturnal in their habits, we must regard them more as
also diurnal or moving about and feeding in the day time rather
than at night. Their food as shown in the table following would
likewise indicate this. When it comes time for winter hibernation
they go into holes in the ground, crevices in caves or hollow logs
and become dormant as do other serpents. Both species of the
Rattle Snake and also the Copperhead are ovoviviparous or bring
forth living young and bear only a few in a brood, and but one brood
per year. There are from nine to twelve in each brood and are gen-
erally born in the early part of September. Early in the season
the eggs are plainly visible in the female when she is cut open
and this gives foundation to the report that the Rattle Snakes
lay eggs. It should be remembered that in these eggs are the
developing embryo which continue developing until the yolk is
absorbed and the very thin membrane which can not be called an
ege shell, contains the embryonic Rattler plainly seen within. See
nD
Plate ok:
iL BD eMICE
(MICROT US PENNSYLVANICUS)
UNIDENTIFIED
MAMMALS
JUMPING MOUSE
Fig. 23.—Diagram showing the percentages of
Food Items of Rattle Snake (Crotalus _ horridus):
371% per cent. Field Mice; 18% per cent. Undeter-
mined Mammals; 6 per cent. Snakes; 6 per cent.
Rabbits; 6 per cent. Red Squirrels; 6 per cent.
Mice; 6 per cent. Common Rats; 7 per cent. Un-
determined Mice; 7 per cent. Jumping Mice.
In literature the Rattle Snakes are reported as feeding on rats,
mice and rabbits (Holbrook, Morse and Stejneger), and squirrels
197
and other Batrachians by various authors. Dr, Atkinson has taken
a young rabbit from the stomach of one of these serpents.
The following table shows the variety of food of this peculiarly
American reptile:
No. Specimens: Food Materials:
1 Undet. Vertebrate.
Undet. Mammals.
Rabbit.
Jumping Mouse.
Meadow Mice.
White-footed Mouse.
Common Rat.
Small Red Squirrel.
Undet. Shrew.
Common Shrew.
PRE EH OPE ow
The above table shows that it feeds almost wholly upon mam-
mals or the hairy quadrupeds. As most of these are very obnoxious
in their economic relations to mankind, the Rattle Snake, from its
feeding habits alone, must be considered one of our important and
valuable creatures, as it aids in holding in check the mice and rats
that are so destructive to crops of various kinds.
198
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202
Definitions of Terms Used.
Anal, Belonging to the anus or vent.
Anal Plate, The plate just in front of and covering the vent er anus.
Dorsal, Belonging to the Back.
Food Material, Substance intentionally taken as food.
Gonad, Immature reproductive element. In this Bulletin, used to designate
the undeveloped young, whether egg or embryo.
Gastrostege, Plates beneath body in front of tail.
Lateral, Belonging to the side.
Ovum, An egg.
Ova, Eggs.
Oviparous, Preducing eggs or ova, that mature and are hatched outside the
body of the parent.
Ovoviviparous, Bearing living young, which were nourished by a substance
like a yolk within a membrane.
Plate, A large, hard, variously-shaped portion of the epidermis which lies
against the edge of its neighbor rather than overlapping.
Poison, A substance producing a noxious effect upon the system, but not an
animal secretion.
Scale, The smaller pointed portion of the epidermis which overlaps its neigh-
bors and is partially covered by another.
Stomach Contents, Referring in this Bulletin to any contents of the digestive
tract.
Urostege, A plate beneath the tail. ;
Venom, A noxious secretion from poison glands of animals.
Ventral, Belonging to the lower or ventral side, or beneath.
Viviparous, Bearing living young, which were nourished by direct connection
with the circulatory system of the parent.
SPECIMENS RECEIVED DURING JUNE, 1906.
We are indebted to contributors named below for the following
list of specimens received during the month of June, which does
not include the collections made by the employes of this office:
Specimen—Insects.
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GATS ew PASCOLLOS pel coincinisie nie cieteloisicce Werciisiea eioiere Miciniaels
6417 Luna Moth, sae Cann i ogbobaonee
6422 | Butterfly (L. arthemis),
CAAT VEO La LeY a eters arcreiccietsicicwieln tate iclolslae,cre
hot bone-horned Beetle, v..cccins «clio paine
CAEN OCT ED PRATT. cits iaveare.cizi sists cause widhetete a'aiere.w 6
6428 | Work of Plum Curculio, ............. o
6429 | (a) San José Scale, .................
GBVESUEEY COCHLEA a am pc wcisisicvaie owivie ohre'e vie j
Tek: rapa DIKGISy AS OBR mC do. MODEOUOeCes 2 ECan
PAD OCCULT Vilgay GATS tonic lsicinictsersiols elvisieeraiaieisie
ms
Rg
6433 | (a) Plant Lice,
6485 | Caddis Flies,
DAP ESIIRE CELL V Eye crarciersetesninirsaleacoleystarein/eitrs| o/s) oso" o%e)oe
6498) |) 'Oyster=shell” Seales hu feces ccc cvcsiens
6447 Giant Water Bug (B. griseus),
Gea Oe | A Vea ren CCAM Ay © « caletanc ciceiore x's caverns seviele c
Beall VERT ClCH GA i cteriss cic ahs eitele.veincieees
GA Cie Nalessa. ETA, ac cicsisccoeresiceceree
(D)eDhalessanortonil):, o.iecs.sscecsas
Ce) Eiymenoptera), 2. ..)5.2.00%0 50
6453) || Vanessa Larvae, sccsccsseccetes
6454 | (a) Lecanium on Maple,
(Gop Cha Tit yeas Cr: | eae Mee me ears
6456 | (a) Tiger Beetle (ces 6-guttatus),
(c) Horned Passalus,
GCAODR (ay) kant b lai Oper ca cite eee ceithe su tieis cies s
(Qa nines bodceGaconocoso cao auernaenar i}
6461 | Long-horn Beetle,
6462 | Cottony Maple Scale,
ir)
rr
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(b) Grasshoppers,
(e) Arctiid (H. tessellaris),
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6480) (a)) ‘Plant Lacey Vices, cases.
(ay) diet diel off aE Oe ee
| (ec) Work of Jassids,
BAR SP eamibe Pale Cie leajsheran elector tls eirlers exe aioe Yelee cite
64807 |\"(a)) PlaviGe WCE Wao cneapercadedes ve yee j
6484 | Leaf Beetles,
OARS Nr eC heeieaueccciccnme rants se sciciccic’s t's crane
6487 | Locust-boring Moth, ................00-
SI WOVSter-SNelSCHLEs cat eedsivccilckeseece ss
GAS CME ATC MEGIGE a comsteleliatsatauies in ei ow c.0
CADE latte Pal COs) ate scars asictelsis.<'sls aoe
6495 | (a) Eyed Elater,
1906.
Date—June,
(b) Oyster-shell Scale, .............. :
6450.) ()esyrphid Papa, | fe ccses. ccs acsinc ce
(BYIMNESBECHIe Ciawss ciccsc sincislelo sie -
EVIE OV ol eicicials.ci<ielsisic #0 aici ale cies veo wel
AGG | Er Letaa tell ortmmetcta stica iss ais's ole slejeie’se tase ste
C469!) | OY Ster=SHelUMISCAIOs | warts mele evcleiscdeicieids
270 4 Cligalovinorty Etorn; Sececcswccntescee’
6472 | Flat-head Apple Borer, «...............+
CATS Caer ea Tite Cesena nes ciecisiesiet ite lensts
AMANITA mn AOR RR eR RRR Re
(co MVVae. VWVIORII ies, vivo ciaisiereis c's 'g-sine's
(b) Lightning Beetles, ...............
KD COOTODIN Gee avcics canes siiades oes eis erm ies
6497 | (a) Ground Beetle (C. Scrutator), ..
(yeawarble iy Toarvas .c- ccc:
AS ETRE ENE, MANNED a Pave ole:n\c gw htc ia’ ata wisv ai ne'nesoissaiciece™
ADA YA AWRMABARMRAARARAA O&O
Name and Address.
. J. O’Conner, Harrisburg.
H. L. Rowley, Emlenton.
J. Smith, Fryburg.
. A. Rice, Landisburg.
rs. J. Pophan, Ringtown.
. E. Erdman, Shamokin.
M. Wertz, Quincy.
M. Brodhead, Old Forge.
B. Callaway, Honesdale.
. Hiester, Harrisburg.
F. Warg, Hawley.
Ww. H. Wolff, State College.
I. Bolinger, Dublin Mills.
L. Walter, Klahr.
44OHQ Deeps d
| J. N. McIntire, Sandy Lake.
W. R. Gorman, Hartley Hall.
W. F. Meredith, Stouchsburg.
W. F. Fink, Osceola Mills.
R. M. Blatt, Huntingdon.
| Dr. W. S. Ruthrauff, Mountaindale.
Miss C. Ott, Buckingham.
M. S. Rhodes, Newtonburg.
J. A. Farrabaugh, Bradley Junction,
. L. Keister, Harrisburg.
. M. Morris, Homestead.
H .Sinsabaugh, Wyalusing.
W. Leitzell, Northumberland.
. L. Taylor, Perulack.
Meloney, Imperial.
C. Stratton, Strattonville.
aUOOP MY
. H. Bullock, Honesdale.
. M. Gates, Girard, Il.
H. B. Terry, Wyalusing.
W. Hampton, Charmian.
B. Callihan, Helen Furnace.
. Keirn, Hastings.
. Schick, Harrisburg.
Anderson, Harrisburg.
Willis, Harrisburg.
F. S. Snayberger, Molino.
W. E. Musser, New Bethlehem.
BQMUP A Qa Z
a
J. G. Care, Irvona.
Miss BE. C. Cox, Buckingham,
Mrs. M. Davis, Norristown.
204
Specimens Received During June—Continued.
s
=
F
E Specimen—Insects. 2 Name and Address.
2 2
3
a A
6501 | (a) Oyster-shell Scale, ............--- 7
(b) San’ José Scale, cece ccencecascecn ! 7 | M. L. Line, Wilkes-Barre.
(c) Leaf Beetle (G. rufosanguinea), |
6502 | Rose Chafer, ........... Reicostteteeiects 7 | E. S. Rhinehart, Mercersburg.
GiOS- | Vonessa Giarvse; sei cite ocean ccs ccwinins 7| Mrs. J. W. Atkinson, Buckingham.
(Pein, PadéaunneccuddoondvodbccnAsoogD 8 | A. H. Clark, Muncy.
6511 | Tree Cricket, Egg punctures, 8 | F, A. Moore, Reynoldsville.
Gb12) | Bae WOrms; 6. cede ncticcte cesses 8 | H. H. Grimm, Middleburg.
6513 | Dermestid Larva, ........ceccecccerees 8 | S. R. Nissley, Manheim.
GIF WROse CRALCTS. sree. velsloininle cteieiels sislaleleloisinjsrs 8 | J. S. Keipp, W. Alexander.
6515 | Burying Beetle, .............. Bee eenie ‘ 8 | H. Erway, Wellsboro.
6516 | Diptera Larve, 8 | F. Segling, Eldred.
6519 | (a) Lecanium,
(Go)) Jabisles Socofchodnonoocacsoconeqcun 8 |S. L. Brinton, W. Chester.
6521 | Dragon Fly (EB. heros), .....0....sce+. | 8 | G. Plummer, Harrisburg.
6528 | Tortoise Beetle, ........c.sseceeeeeccees 9 | Mrs. E. Robinson, Phila.
6532 | (a) Apple Tent-caterpillars, ........ }
[i@b)sISGs SO GLS wus eelcies iscsi se riactacts 9 | J. R. McMillan, Gettysburg.
(ereiy (GH) 222) 0) (ee srigamneHbunecouncandaocuDTaue
(b) Syrphid Larve, 11 |} I. T. Hann, W. Middlesex.
6536 | Chalcid’ Rupe, see cc. cenieciclooiie sia cieus ~11 |} A. B. Gensler, Allen.
6537 | (a) Beetle (M. heros), ........-.se-eee 11 | D. W. Navle, ‘Wellsboro.
6538 | Cloaked Knotty Horn, .............. 5 11 | H. S. Webb, Scranton.
6589 | (a) Lecanium, ........sseseseeeeeeeeees 1]
QD PNTCA YM BEET | Seive cicero sielelnielnisinis cine un 11 | E. R. Musser, Grant.
G2 Wa) ecropia, (item mecicwclisiesl-iivieie ele
Ni(s3) bie segaarepboaodoasobcobadcaudede Z 11 | J. C. Franke, Coudersport.
€543 | (a) Lightning Beetle, ............0... |
| (b) Plant Lice, ........sssssscesecees eo J | 11 | J. S. Wanick. Montrose.
6544 | Rose Chafers, § ici R icc isveccvcenvecsave 3 11 | J. Schall, Spring City.
6545 | Seventeen Year Cicada, ......... s+: 11 | U. R. McCartney, Altoona.
6547 | Larder Beetles (B. lardarius), ....... | 11 | A. B. Grubb, Annville.
GAR: Sales oocb ceicte cletteloleleitiernieisisiece os | 11 | L. M. Raver, Fleetville.
6551 |Seventeen-year Cicadas, A 11 | J. E. Patterson, Glen Summit Spring.
6552 | Moth Larve, ............. Sevlasielin es eeea | 11 | BE, E. Erdman, Shamokin.
6553 | Cottony Maple Scale, ...........+0--++0. 11 | N. McClintock, Pittsburg.
6555 (a) Thalessa atra, ......sserereeseeees ay)
| (b) Thalessa lunator, ............s+00 al 11 | R. Kisner, Danville.
(c) Bark showng punctures, ......... 1h)
6556 | Elm Coxcomb Galls, ............-.++++25 11 | J. G. Krichbaum, Chambersburg.
6557 | (a) Plant Liice, <2... ccccesccreccnccres i
| (b) Vanessa larva, ....-sseeeeeereeee J) 11 | W. Codney, Wellsboro.
6558 | Bean Weevil (B. obtectus), ............ 11 | J. D. Gill, Sr., Philipsburg.
6559 | Lemon Lecanium, ......c.ccceecsee-eees 11 | E. E. Beck, Huntingdon.
RSE RACERS oir in wicloio1eiate.oi0)0)aiotnibieletareinis(atnisials!oipieisvaiet } 11 | C. Anderson, Harrisburg.
6565 | Rose Chafers, | 12 | R. S. Rebert, Hanover.
OGL lpi. Wile, occa.» veeo speci ecdaweccees | 12 | W. Batty, Lenni Mills.
6567 | Thalessa lunator, . | 12 | J. T. Blake, Fox Chase.
6568 | (a) Morning Cloak Larve, ......... |
(b)_ Arclatd (EH: Cary) ,- cciteccs a. se yer 12 | W. H. Bullock, Honesdale.
6571 |(a) Scurfy Scale, .......-....----.+0 if
| (b) Pentatomid Bees, ....ccecccs.res J} 12 | J. M. McEwen, Mercer.
6578 |\Cecropla Moth ye .2 cla. sccccnsccccsincs San 12 | A. L. McHenry, Harrisburg.
6580 | (a) Giant Water Bug (B. amer.),
(b) Dragon Fly (E. heros), ..........
(c) Swallow-tail (P. turnus), 13 | F. S. Andrews, Wellsboro.
(CO) MLO MLOE ence vedere cc tee cesar
GSt WW Pnalesad, tra)” iv iisatiovioelss ccc cee cis 13 | L. D. Goodspeed, Wellsboro.
6582 | Lecanium on Peach, ........... 13} J. K. Bomberger, Bismarck.
6583 | Ground Beetle (C. scrutator), 13 | H. J. L. Rowley, Emlenton.
feet || Rose Chaferts ci ier siacctecanee ces 13 | S. Schlegel, FE. Salem.
Gps Carpet, Beetles, eccicccpacte dal snisiem sc 3 |1J. H. Cogswell, Titusville.
Case Le. MOth, oseweretsrsValcwise Vr cacisslacisnna 13 | Mrs. C. J. Barney, Warren.
6588 | Leaf Beetle (G. rufosanguinea), ..... 13 | J. Fielding, Scranton.
Geo Rose: ‘Chaflerie td. tacks wassebectabine sty 138 | H. K. Miller, Huntsdale.
Bop | EROBE CNEMSrS rte: i cecetars ctna'eabis/s «tae en 13 | K. Kelly, Dillinger.
6591 | Long-horned Beetle- Larve, .......«+. 13 | G. T. Satterthwait, Ercildoun.
C6047 )|\(a) Caddies BLY; hiccsspeetsesseachevcae |
(b) Sphinx (P. Pandora), .........-. 13 |} H. J. O’Conner, Harrisburg.
6595 | (b) Yellow Swallow-tail |
(c) Black Swallow-tail,
(@) Latna. Mothy fo. sieveeeeas 18 | Mrs. M. C. Brightbill, Marsh Run
(e) Butterfly (A. cybele),
Go. | bose. CHALEIB,!! Olsccsicasstsenstiecnpewars.« 14 |S. S. Kane, Alinda.
COOL |'\Oyater-shell Scale, 556i stccvabany s<onvs 14 | J. F. Conrad, Lindsay.
6602 | (a) Morning Cloak Butterfly, ..... i
(b) Larve Cloak Butterfly, ......... a 14 | D. Spencer, Williamsport.
(c) Lecanium, ........ Acowunepekses Pore ky
Specimens Received During June—Continued.
Number.
6635
6637
8639
6640
6641
6642
6643
6644
6668
6648
6649
6651
6655
6656
6658
6659
6660
6664
6665
6666
6668
6669
6670
71
6972
6673
6674
6675
6678
6679
F680
6682
6683
6684
6685
6687
6688
6689
6690
6691
6693
6694
Specimen—Insects.
Ground Beetle (C. scrutator),
Luna Moth,
Corn Root Webworm,
Gortyna Larva,
(a) Morning Cloak Larva,
(b) Leaf Beetles (L. scripta),
(a) Io Moth,
(b) Long-horn Beetle (S. vestita),..}
(c) Undt. Beetle, J
Beetle Larva,
(a) Dragon Fly (E. heros),
(b) Mise. Insects,
PROG Narscltara ave wveleiciain sin ereomeralererete slernrciaternts
Rose Chafers,
Wooly Aphis,
Rose Chafer,
Spittle Insects,
Underwing Larva (Catocala),
Rose Chafers,
Gortyna Larva,
San José Scale,
Rose Chafers,
Stone Fly,
(a) Thalessa atra,
(Gc) ikglaieloholain iyatosdakmeannpoouseooro !
(a) Cottony Maple Scale, |
(ay) LEVEN ILGS. easoctomaocanadduo ooue ;
(ec) Mourning Cloak Larve,
(d) Silk Moth Larve,
(a) San José Scale,
(b) Scurfy Scale,
Pentatomid Eggs,
Gortyna Larve (P. nitela),
Long Horned Beetles,
Rose Chafers,
Leaf-cutting Bee Larve,
Lecanium.
Dragon Flies,
San José Scale,
Leaf Beetle (G. rufosanguinea),
Five-spotted Sphinx,
(a) Luna Moth,
(b) Rose Chafers,
(c) Flower Beetle,
(d) Caddis Fly Case,
Plant Louse Galls,
Oyster-shell Scale,
(a) Cottony Maple Scale,
(b) Chalcid,
Insects,
Beetles,
Cee IMO EIS ce cysrc.ctorsiere etetertierstenterasieiets
Cottony Maple Scale,
Cottony Maple Scale,
San José Scale,
Seventeen-year Cicadas,
BROS Ce OMA OUSS ccaaniasattevs acer ccs tetas tie slate aleies
Corn Root Webworm,
San José Scale,
Buprestid Beetle,
Maple Phylloxera,
Oyster-shell Seale,
PROSE GMEMEGS eS siavarcre cctaieercvele aiatuvsieis ate scteve's
Mourning Cloak Larve,
San José Seale,
(b) Capsid Plant Bug,
PLONSr ORALSL Be. cate stamite tid aes We v-e.0.0 0G vie uals
(a) Wolly Aphis,
(b) Lecanium,
Helgamite Dobson Fly, ...........e...
Milk Weed Butterfly Pupa,
Corn Root Webworm,
Larva of Papaipema nitela,
AMthHreEnUs: WAVE vo vecic sce es eck's celsiec
(d) Seventeen-year Cicada,
(a) Oyster-shell Scale,
(Dysbecaniiniss ccs smeeece ec ceenotee sniei3}
Oyster-shell Scale, se
1906.
Date—June,
BEWQRMUANO
Name and Address.
J. J. Hoffman, Reynoldsville.
Mrs. C. J. Barney, Warren.
B. A. McQueen, Millers Station.
D. W. Bowman, Montoursville.
Dr. S. Wood, McDonald.
E. Blinzler, Emporium.
H. C. Heilman, Montgomery.
J. 8. Kelly, Highspire.
Mrs, 8. S. Hostetter, Lancaster.
D. M. Wertz, Quincy.
7 -, Morrisville.
S. Buck, Clearfield.
C. Myers, Jersey Shore.
Anderson, Geneva.
M. Stiely, Rough-and-Ready.
IF. Reider, Kutztown.
J. M. Crull, Landisburg.
W. S. Fink, Osceola Mills.
W. H. Bullock, Honesdale.
4
K. Warden, Oxford.
K. Sterrett, Oakville.
M. March, Spring City.
J. Weld, Sugar Grove.
S. Fenstermaker, Allentown.
G. Brooke, Schwenksville.
rs.. W. George, Warren.
Anderson, Harrisburg.
O. Smith, Burlington.
A. Brinkman, Lehighton.
M. Kendall, McConnellsburg.
A. Smith, Sunbury.
. H. Hickok, Troy.
Koenig, Harrisburg.
J. O’Conner, Harrisburg.
Jacobs, Harrisburg.
J. E. Patterson, Glen Summit Springs
Warren J. Ellis, Phila.
S. J. Barnett, Delta.
M. O. Reagle, Mount Bethel.
W. Jones, Old Forge.
J. Willebran, Cresson.
L. D. Sanders, Centerville.
F. Keith, Eagle Foundry.
A. W. Young, Manheim.
O. L. Benton, Titusville.
Miss L. Moore, Edgeworth.
S. M. Robinson, McConnellsburg.
W. H. Bullock, Honesdale.
T. P. Meyer, Lock Haven.
Mrs. J. W. Atkinson, Buckingham.
W. S. Huey, Allensville.
J, Vallerchamp, Jr., Halifax.
A. W. Clancy, Glenwood.
Illig, Richland.
H. S. Lauback, Springtown.
H. Compton, McClane.
a D. Wentz, Spring Forge.
Aye
B
x
. Casner, Williamsport.
O. Brookbank, Driftwood.
rookbank Mercantile Co., Driftwood.
6808
6809
6433
6441
6456
6478
6537
6579
6664
oS
&
nr
3
Specimen—Insects. 5 Name and Address.
$
i]
A ae
Cottony Maple Scale, .....-....-- sO0aCe 22 |} J. M. Witman, St, Mary’s.
TGC AMIE ete nelscieie elainicislsivie’s es \elele sscisis islets 22 | A. McCall, Union Church.
Rose Chafers, ...-...+seeeeeeerseeeeees 22 | Geo. L. Enhart, St. Thomas.
Dragon FICS, ........0ccecccewccesscns 22 | Chas. Anderson, Harrisburg.
Tree Hopper, ...--..+++..++s 23 | J. A. Fackler, Linglestown.
Larve of P. nitela, . | 23 )J. W. Gihnor, Enon Valley.
Corn. Silvanus (S. surinamensis | 23 | J. H. Christy, Penfield.
Seventeen-year Cicada, | 25 |C. Cassner, Williamsport.
Byed Hlater, --.+--seeeeeeeeeee 25 |W. H. Taplin, Holmesburg.
| Work of Papaipema, .........--.++.+5 2 | E. S. Bayard, Pittsburg.
| Cherry Leaf Folder (C. cerasivorana 25 |W. H. Bullock, Honesdale.
Diptera Larva, ....+-sseeeeeeseeeeeees 2% | J. Swift, Philipsburg.
(b) Wooly Aphis, ........... sleseveeen |
(c) Ants, ........ geaddéobone SOD TUO CHO tab 25 | H. A. Brightbill, Marsh Run,
Gecidomyla (G7)! Galls, since vis stein cian i 25 |C. P. Dadant, Hamilton, Ill.
Work of Plum Curculio, i 25 |D. M. Wertz, Quincy.
| (a) Io Moth, |
(b) Beetles, | 25 | H. Schick, Harrisburg.
(ec) Diptera, |
Srels(alo1t= ) MeO eonigoape streets teen ee eeees 25 |H. J. O’Conner, Harrisburg.
Parasitized Plant Lice, .............- 25 | Holmes Seed Co., Harrisburg.
| Maple Pseudococcus, ...-+.+++++++.es- | 25 |B. F. Barr, Lancaster.
| (a) Bumble Flower Beetle (E. ful- |
SLAY nie wlaln elaine nleleletajetetnvvieicieln5)s olstalnfojeiwleiele
(b) Long-horned Beetle, .......---++. | 25 |S. Still, Fisher’s Ferry.
(c) Buprestid Beetle, ...... mayen acc
(d) Pentatomid, ............ eralsinets sie
Catocola Larva, .....e...-.. Series eine ee | 2 | FE. C. Byers, Richland Furnace.
(a) Beet (?) Leaf Miner, 25 | J. E. Bird, Dushore.
Seventeen-year Cicadas, 26 |F. R. Waring, Tyrone. .
Long-horned Beetles, ......-. : 26 |R. J. Weld, Sugar Grove.
Cherry Leaf Miners, ............ peel 26 |H. C. McKenrick, Clearfield.
Byed EBlater, ......cecseeeceaveee nano 27.|C. J. Stratton, Erie.
(a) Lecamium, .....+eseeeeeeeeee renee oe 27 | L. Moore, Brownsville.
Gossyparia SPUTIAa, .......cecccescceees 27 | J. C. Withrow, Vanport.
(a) Gossyparia spuria, .........-.+.. i
(b) Cicada Punctures, ........+.+see0- |
(c) San José Scale, .........+.+% eerie 28 | J. Fielding, Scranton.
(d) Oyster-shell Scale, .....-...-..+. |
Wooly Aphis, sioccceecniscnvinecencescnce 28 | J. R. Rodgers, Carlisle.
Aphis Galls, ...:.csceeceseseeserscreces 28 |C. Yoder, Pleasant View.
ROSS CHATOLS, ©. teicie nels aiaisc:sisielsloiereielerale Stoo 28 | J. J. Bauman, Bradley Junction.
(a) Maple Borer (P. speciocus), .«., |
(b) Leaf Chafer (A. lucicola), .....; 28 | Mr. Myers, Hughesville.
Byrplid: Bly, Werced asta cmmcciinccmeeianeit 28 | Mrs. H. A. Surface, Camp Hill.
Giant Water Bug (B. griseus), ..... | 28 | H. Barrington, Harrisburg.
Maple Phylloxera, .......... sielsiaiejsiulare.s 28 | J. F. Lewis, Phila.
Plant, TiGe; esc c ecw sare snscies veins vives 28 | Rummel, Himes & Co., Shippensburg. ,
Cabbage Moth Larve (M. picta), 28 | A, B. Moore, Reynoldsville.
Ws RIBOLE ie ie o.n's aclorwitie nielsanleleiviesrieyeielvinie's 28 |F. E. Talley, Brandywine Summit.
San sFOsG SeESBle; ees. da siceals cise ys cients 28 |H. Harris, Aldan.
San JOSE SCAIC) sacs secre peso ce cesiecinseess 28 | E. Newhart, Stroudsburg.
1) bag 8h a1) ARBOR EDC CHOOOOIONE AIC : 29 | J. Swift, Philipsburg.
(d) GraSShHOppers, .....cecsccverevecccs | |
(e) Butterfly arthemis, ...........+.+. 29 |W. H. Bullock, Honesdale.
Aphis Gallsy crieeess 29 |G. M. Brinton, Irwin.
Morning Cloak Larve, 29 |C. L. Peck, Coudersport.
(a) Scurfy Scale, .c.cscceececeeeees
(b) Cicada Wing, ..-ccccccccoccccencs 29 -G. A. Stanton, Hollisterville.
Cecidomyia Galls, ......ccccesssvecoones 29 | II. Schick, Harrisburg.
(b) Oyster-shell Scale, ........+-.- aise 30 |G. A. Rice, Coryville.
Parasitized Lecanium, ....-...+++. wen 30 | A. McCall, Union Church.
(a) Elm Coxcomb Galls, ....-+sesseees a 30 | R. W. Wehrle, Indiana.
(a) Powder Post Beetle, .......+6- wil ;
(b) Clerid Beetle, ...c,..05. Victene wnt ‘
(c) Long-horned Beetle, .......++.0+- | 30 | Hickock Mfg. Co., Harrisburg.
(d) Braconidee, ...ccccsscccvvesvesscass |
(4): Wooly, Aphis), cix.cevcsc. saves om a] 30 | Geo. R. Ross, Lebanon.
(Db) Moth. a. ccvrscatun p Frrasedssbinnens cae
| Invertebrates, not Insects.
| Red “MALS, cote cedensceustsitaitas wi eans 4|F. J. F. Ward, Hawley.
MEIN GE sesveacevasetevennn yaaenavee red aids 4 | Minnie L. Benton, Titusville. -
| (d) Black Spider, .....cscceecverseeeeees 5 |M. 8S. Rhodes, Newtonburg.
(O)i@entipedes, «a5 stenseceasas pewieles wale,’ 6 | W. H. Bullock, Honesdale.
(b) Millipede, 11 | D. W. Navle, Wellsboro.
| Spider, osccccvccevescasces 13 |W. J. Burns, Reedsville.
20 |J. BK. Patterson, Glen Summit Springs.
206
Specimens Received During June—Continued.
' (b) Centipede,
| (b) Common Garter Snake,
207
Specimens Received During June—Continued.
Specimen—Insects.
(b) Mites,
ITE ALOMES cienrnaradeincessisisia eine acne aie sr
CE ERE lee ULES 5 ut reratoratetateleisjaicts,cijetersyarctetera aio;
Reptiles and Batrachians.
Ring-necked Snake (D. punctatus),..
Pilot Snake (C. obseletus),
Common Water Snake (N. sipedon),..
House Snake. (L. d. triangulus), ....
Granite Salamander (P. glutinosus),
House Snake. (L, d. triangulus), A
Common Tree Toad (H. versicolcr),..
(a) Granite Salamander,
(b) 3 Brown Salamanders (D fusca), |
(ec) 8 Two-lined Salamanders (S. |
Jenibhetsts), (315) he Ste sO Ou OMBA TC USOnronnoEL
(d) 7 Striped Salamander (P. Cin- |
ereus),
(e) 2 Immature Salamanders,
Copperhead (A. contortrix),
Pilot Snake,
Granite Salamander,
Red-bellied Snake (S. occip.),
Blue Racer (B. constrictor),
(a) 4 Rock Snake (S. dekayi),
(b) Red-bellied Snake (S. occi.), ..
(a) Sculptured Tortoise (C. insculp- |
HEED) © deo cse ociohado gqgec Usp a0 Obobe doe On
(b) Newt (D. viridescens),
(a) Copperhead Snake,
(b) House Snake,
Blue Racer,
PATO PospOTIC Os 9 osc cicerpionate le av eivtere = alk Sere
Common Garter Snake (T. sirtalis),..
House Snake,
Map Turtle (G. geographicus),
(a) Red-bellied Snake, ............... |
(b) Hoptoad (B. L. americanus), ..
Grass Snake (L. vernalis), ..........
(a) Common Garter Snake, ........ ]
Cy MSOpMernead) ccs seme tec cache ates
Copperhead Snake,
°C) Gs We): Peony ot: 2 et ee es
(d) Brown Salamander, .............
(e) 2 Striped Salamanders,
Common Garter Snake, .
TIOUBO) SHAKOS Ohika ccpecise ns
Common Garter Snake,
(a) House Snake,
COAL OPO SILAICeh. ete senscatin css pia
(a) Leather Snake (R. leberis), sf
(b) House Snake,
(c) Box Tortoise (P. carolina),
(a) Common Garter Snake,
(b) Spotted Mud Turtle or Pond
Un sle W(CrcSutCtAtis)). | acne ce nsrines
(ec) Sculptured! Turtles c.cs wees cece ees J
(a) Copperhead,
2 Swift or Common Lizard (S. un-
CLVIV ATS) Se caiceiete ciresciccotie sere visiaiessfe:s)araiole w sie
Common Garter Snake, ...............
(a) 2 Red-bellied Snakes, ........... |
Cb) PiettOCk AA meIcesy w.cemer smeermsie cin «
Common Garter Snake,
sculptured WOrtoises Pin cece sete scicecr nc
Snapping Turtle (C. serpentina),
Wommon ‘Garter Suakes eave ssisicewis =
(a) 4 CommonWater Snakes,
(e)ebionee Snake, Wa secs: tememet eevee
Spotted Salamander (A. punctatus),..
House Snake,
Leather Snake,
Common Garter Snake,
A= COpperheads,. Vaietirciags ewisleawicied. cov sase
Purple Salamanders (G. Porphyr. eka
House Snake,
Re)
—)
i=)
he!
i
5 Name and Address.
=
fs}
®
3
aA
|
21 | T. P. Meyer, Lock Haven.
23 | Mrs. J. Spencer, Towanda.
25 |J. E. Bird, Dushore.
H, Hawthorne,
A. Stewart, Independence.
B. Gill, Berwyn.
Ei. Showalter, Landisburg.
AN VanOstrand, Grafton,
N. Witherup, Emlenton.
Oberly, Easton.
New Castle.
CLOTS
HGESS RR
4
. L. King, Bethlehem.
Johnson, Pittsburg.
Johnson, Pittsburg.
I’. Mansfield, Beaver.
A. Wilcox, Sugar Run.
Johnson, Woodbine;
F. Laurie, Erie.
Oo 0 ONADMN
4 Q Sr nn
P. Swoope, Huntingdon.
W. Lefford, Huntingdon,
. Sharpe, Jenningsville.
. McCord, North East.
G.
B
F
Be C. Gibbs, Huntingdon.
G
B
B
W,
A.
E.
Dr. I. H. Mayer, Willow Street.
A. . Riggle,
A
J
A
Cochrans Mills.
. Miller, Barnesville.
3. Miller, Chambersburg.
. P. White, Lock Haven.
11 | C. Backenstoe, Fort Hunter.
12 | W. H. Bullock, Honesdale.
12 | A. P,. White, Lock Haven.
12 |.T. B. Hoover, Wellsville.
12 J. R. Davis, Meadowbrook.
12 |
W. H. Grimm, Hamburg.
13 | W. M. Benner, Telford.
13 |G. H. Bedford, Nazareth.
13 | Mrs. M. C. Brightbill,
13 | W. I. Keller, Beaver Springs.
14 |S. Johnson, Pittsburg.
tlre Oy ait Laurie, Erie.
15 | W. E. Peddrick, Bellevue, Del.
15 | R. W. Wehrle, Indiana.
Ui) eli Ee Lehman, Port Allegany.
16 | F. Ruof, Hummelstown.
18 | J. Mell, Jr., Richland.
18 |B. Fleming, Granville Summit.
20 | A. S. Ulrich, Lebanon.
2 | J. B. Gill, Berwyn.
ra Vay a eS Hawthorne, New Caatie:
21 | W. E. Heintzelman, Ortanna.
22 | J. Rapp, Jr., Warren.
22 |J. W. Seip, Easton.
22 |H. May, Dillsburg.
Marsh Run.
Number.
| Two-spur Chicken leg,
| (a) Black-billed Cuckoo,
208
Specimens Received During June—Continued.
Specimen—Insects.
House Snake,
Spotted Salamander,
Common Garter Snake,
Ring-necked Snake,
(a) Common Water Snake,
Snake Egg,
Common Water Snake,
(a) House Snake,
(b) Blue Racer,
(c) Sculptured Tortoise,
Copperhead Snake, oe
Copperhead Snake,
Birds and Mammals.
Crested Flycatcher,
Chimney Swift,
Red_ Squirrel,
Cedar Waxwing,
2 Young Owls,
(a) Red-winged Blackbird,
(b) Purple Grackle,
American Goldfinch,
Deer Hair,
Purple Grackle,
Chipping Sparrow,
Part of kitten (?) skeleton,
(a) Twilight Bat (N. humeralis),
Star-nosed Mole,
Balto. Oriole,
Common Mole (S. aquaticus),
Crow, ;
Short-tailed Shrew (B. brevicauda),.
Robin,
Chipping Sparrow,
,
(3)
5 Name and Address.
$
os
A
23 |S. Johnson, Pittsburg.
| 25 is. Y. Godshalk, Perkasie.
| 25 | H. Bordner, Shamokin Dam.
2 | R. W. Wehrle, Indiana.
| 25 | H. A. Brightbill, Marsh Run.
7 W. W. Climenson, Honeybrook.
} 28 , Dorothea S. Oppenlander, Passer.
| 29 | -w. H. Bullock, Honesdale.
| 30 | G. S. Reed, Baden.
30 | E. E. C. Gibbs.
|
|
4 | Mrs. J. W. Atkinson, Buckingham.
5 | BE. R. Mulford, Wellsboro.
5 | J. P. Lehman, Coudersport.
5 | Molly D. Brallier, Conemaugh.
6 | R. W. Wehrle, Indiana.
9 | F. S. Andrews, Wellsboro.
| 11 | C. L. Brumbaugh, Wilkinsburg.
| 12 |R. L. Jackson, McConnellsburg.
12 | A. Grener, Scranton.
13 | Miss A. K. Bewley, Forestgrove.
20 | E. R. Mulford, Knoxville.
21 | Mrs. J. W. Atkinson, Buckingham.
21 | W. W. Climenson, Honeybrook.
21 | Messrs. Andrews and Mulford, Welisporo.
22 | Mrs. S. A. Craig, Brookville.
23 | Clara E. Mattis, Lansdale.
26 | E. R. Mulford, Wellsboro.
27 | Mrs. J. W. Atkinson, Buckingham.
27 |W. H. Bullock, Honesdale.
28 | E. R. Mulford, Wellsboro.
29 | L. Winship, Moscow.
.
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