vicious in appearance, hisses loudly and strikes vigorously. It feeds on
small animals and birds. It is also called the Gopher Snake. "The Yellow
Gopher" Snake is found in the middle and western states.

THE GREEN SNAKES.

The Green Whip Snake or Magnolia Snake is green above, yellow below. It
feeds on insects and is a good climber. In color it so perfectly
matches the leaves and grass that detection is difficult. The "Grass
Snake" is a common snake of the northeastern states.

THE RING-NECKED SNAKES.

The eastern Ring-necked Snake is found in the eastern portion of the
United States. It has a yellow ring about the neck. This snake is not
given to venturing abroad, but prefers to lie under stones and the loose
bark of trees.

THE KING SNAKES.

These snakes are remarkable for their colors. They are banded around
their bodies with rings of bright colors. They will eat rats and mice
and other snakes. The Milk Snake or "Checkered Adder" is popularly
supposed to be fond of milk. Scientists tell us that this is a fallacy.
It feeds on mice, rats, other snakes and lizards. The Red Milk Snake is
prettily colored--red and yellow--and is the type found in the south.
All the King Snakes have pronounced patterns. More than in any other
genus is the habit of feeding on its kind developed--attacking, and
usually successfully, snakes larger than themselves. It is from this
characteristic that they derive their name. It is bitten by the
poisonous snakes which it attacks but without effect; the King Snake
tightens its grip until its adversary is lifeless.

THE RAINBOW SNAKES.

These are sometimes called the mud snakes, from the fact that they are
abundant in swamps. They burrow in the mud. The Red-bellied Snake is
also called the Rainbow Snake, Mud Snake, Horn Snake and Hoop Snake.

THE HOG-NOSED SNAKES.

These snakes are fighters. The peculiar formation of the mouth makes
them easily distinguishable. They hiss when disturbed and flatten their
heads and necks. They are popularly known as "adders" and "vipers." They
are found in dry and sandy situations.

The common Hog-nosed Snake is found in dry, sandy locations practically
all through the United States except on the Pacific slope. It has the
peculiar habit of feigning death when cornered. Before it tries these
tactics it will make a terrific show of ferocity. It is capable of
flattening its head and neck in a formidable manner and while assuming
this attitude i