seen measured 3 feet 2 inches. It is fairly common in the central part of the county.

“The small red viper occurs in the fir-clad hills of the extreme west of the county, being absent in the eastern parts, where the adder is ash - coloured (Brighton, Lewes, and Crowborough). The ring snake is common throughout the Weald, confining itself to well-watered land."-Benjamin Lomax, 4 Cleveland Road, Brighton.

SOUTH-EAST SUSSEX.-"In the course of ornithological rambles in the south-eastern part of the county I have had many opportunities of observing our snakes in their wild state, and I have also kept them as pets, and so observed them also in captivity. In the district referred to I consider the ring snake common, and far more numerous than the adder. The ring snake averages about 2 feet 9 inches and the adder about 21 inches in length. The largest ring snake I have seen in this neighbourhood was one which was brought to me, and which measured a trifle over 4 feet. These remarks apply to the S.E. portion of the county only."-Walter Field, St Helens, nr. Hastings.

ST LEONARDS." In the district the ringed snake is much more common than the adder, probably in the proportion of seven to one. Its average length is 34 inches. Although this species is generally sup

posed not to bite, I had one specimen (2 feet 7 inches) which I could never take out of her cage without an attempt on her part to bite me—an attempt, moreover, which was frequently very successful. I have at present in captivity a ring snake which is so tame as to readily take a frog from my hand whilst itself being held in the other; and this snake will also come the whole length of a room to my whistle. Shortly after I captured her she deposited 29 eggs, none of which was I successful in hatching.

"The adder averages here about 20 inches. I have no knowledge of the occurrence of the smooth snake or the small red viper in the immediate locality."-A. Cheshill, St Leonards.

ARUNDEL DISTRICT.- In this district I should say that the ring snake is more common than the adder, though the latter is also pretty plentiful. In my experience I should put the average length of the harmless species at about 2 feet, and that of the adder at about 21 inches, locally. I have never come across the rare smooth snake here."-Leslie E. Lewis, Binsted Rectory, Arundel, Sussex.

EASTBOURNE DISTRICT.—“ Speaking from personal observation of the country within a fifteen-mile radius of Eastbourne, I should say that the ring snake is undoubtedly the most common species found. The

adder is, however, by no means uncommon, though owing to its great timidity it is perhaps thought to be rarer than is really the case.

"The adders of this locality are found ranging up to 20 inches, or even to 2 feet (this district is on chalk).

The ring snakes are usually about 3 feet, and this size and larger are frequently seen in the woods and marshes. The largest I have taken here was 3 feet 9 inches, his cast slough being over 4 feet. This specimen was among the gorse of a South Down valley.

"I have never seen the smooth snake here, though I have been on the look-out for it for years.

I have hatched both adders and ring snakes in my cages, and have been very much struck by the difference in ground colour, distinctness of markings, and vitality among individuals in the same litter, more especially in the case of the adders."-H. G. F. Spurrell, Clonsah, Eastbourne.

CHICHESTER DISTRICT.-"The ring snake is very common in the lower-lying parts and the viper in the sandy places. The former averages about 30 inches, at times reaching a length of from 43 to 46 inches. The adder varies from 18 to 24 inches. I can get no information regarding the occurrence of the smooth snake.

"The ring snake is a pretty pet, and can be perfectly tamed. It is very interesting in its ways, being most inquisitive, investigating everything minutely. A capital swimmer, fond of a bath, a more timid creature hardly exists, and few as harmless."-Joseph Anderson, Alve Villa, Chichester.

DOVER DISTRICT." I should say that the ring snake is spread over a larger area-that is, its distribution is more general-whilst the adder is more inclined to affect certain suitable localities. Personally I have come across more adders than ring snakes, probably in the proportion of two to one. In this district we should consider an adder over 24 inches a very large one, and a ring snake over 36 inches would be very exceptional. Last summer (1900) a neighbour of mine killed a ring snake in his garden measuring 35 inches, which he brought to me as being a large one."-W. Jacob, Eythorne, nr. Dover.

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