Erratum in last Issue.—Note on "Breeding of the Bittern in Herts" (ante, p. 316). For "John Wobley" read "John Wolley."—Francis C.R. Jourdain (Clifton Vicarage, Ashburne, Derbyshire).
REPTILIA.
The Habits of the Grass-Snake (Tropidonotus natrix) in Confinement.—This species, besides being very easily procured, is very hardy, and not nearly so subject to canker in captivity as are some of the continental species. Out of about twenty-five specimens I have had in my possession, only one has died of this disease, and that one through being put into an infected cage.
The Grass-Snake, or Binged Snake, when frequently handled, soon becomes tame, and hardly ever attempts to bite. There are certainly two or three instances recorded where it has done so; and I myself was once bitten by one, but it is certainly of very rare occurrence. The food of this snake undoubtedly consists of frogs and small fish, and very rarely toads, and some of my snakes will frequently take minnows out of my fingers, while I have often induced them to take a dead minnow by moving it about in their front. The Grass-Snake is said to eat the eggs of birds, but, although this may be the case, I have never been able to induce my snakes to eat them in captivity. The Grass-Snake will frequently breed in captivity, and in some cases incubate her eggs. One specimen I had two years ago laid sixteen eggs shortly after she came into my possession, but subsequent to their deposition she took no more notice of them. These eggs were all separated from one another, and this, I think, is rather unusual, as they are generally joined together in a string by a glutinous substance.
The Grass-Snake is very fond of water, and is an excellent swimmer. It should therefore, while in captivity, be provided with a large pan of water, in which it will frequently remain for a considerable time completely submerged, with the exception of the head; one of my specimens whilst casting its skin this summer remained in the water for more than ninety-six hours.
As regards the sloughing of this species, I have noticed that it is much less frequently done than in other European species. Many of the latter—such as the Dice, Æsculapian, and Leopard snakes, which I have kept—have cast two or three times between the months of April and September; whereas many of the Grass-Snakes have not cast at all during this period, not even after passing the winter in confinement in a state of semi-hibernation.—B.J. Horton (305, Stratford Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham).
