ey down with part of its body. It is not
particular as to its diet and will eat birds with the same relish as
cold-blooded frogs and toads. In the Central and South American
countries this snake is highly valued as a "ratter" and frequents human
habitations without fear. The Black Snake is abundant in the United
States. It has a bad reputation. It is said to be a fearless fighter,
not afraid to attack man even, and to be able to "charm" its prey within
its reach. These attributes are popular beliefs without any basis of
fact. It is fond of small birds and field mice and is what may be called
a meadow snake. When frightened it speeds away at an incredible rate.
The Coachwhip Snake, found in the southeast, is even more agile than the
Black Snake, and like that serpent, will eat smaller snakes. It gets its
name from its slender structure and similarity of the appearance of its
scale distribution to a plaited whip. The Striped Racer of the
southwestern states is very long and slender.

THE RAT SNAKES OR COLUBERS.

These are large, strong snakes that squeeze and crush their prey by
coiling themselves around it. They are useful to the farmer, as they
inhabit grainfields and prey on the rats and mice. An easy way to tell
these snakes is by their flat belly. The Fox Snake is quite common in
the Central states. It averages about four feet long. It derives its
name from an odor which it is able to eject, which smells not unlike
that of the fox. Often it will kill and eat animals as large as rabbits.
It deposits its eggs in some natural hollow and leaves them there to
hatch. A snake that is abundant in the southeastern states is known by
the various names of Corn Snake, Red Chicken Snake, Mouse Snake, Scarlet
Racer and Red Coluber. It is red, black and white. It is not as much of
a climber as the Racers are, nor is it as agile; but it is braver and
will fight when cornered. It is frequently found in cornfields, hence
its name. The Pilot Black Snake or Mountain Black Snake is often taken
for the Common Black Snake. Its head is larger and it is spotted with
white. It is a snake frequently found in the same locations as the
rattlesnake and copperhead. The Chicken Snake is fond of eggs and young
chickens. Like the Fox Snake it will emit an unpleasant odor when
caught.

THE BULL SNAKES.

The Pine or Bull Snake is one of the largest snakes found in the east.
It is found in the sandy pine woods of the coast. When disturbed it is