LIZZIE, D.O 1984 Crotalus viridus Hastings Reservation, Monterey Co., Calif. April 15 This afternoon (1630h) I set out to try and locate and possibly retrieve a radio-collar from P. californicus #1257 (radio-collared 7 April, 0800h, weight = 38g). Since the 10 April I had generally localized (around 2,5) the signal in a Neotoma midden at the base of a willow stump, and had set traps every night since. Today I precisely located the signal ~4m from the Neotoma midden among blackberry, poison oak, and grasses on a west facing gentle slope. As I was spreading the vegetation apart looking, I came across a Crotalus coiled when the signal was coming!! Obviously 1257 is history.... I cut off a long (2-3m) willow branch and tried to lift the Crotalus into a bag. It quickly moved off back down into the Neotoma midden. I tried in vain for another hr to get it, but it escaped deep under the midden (Despite my having the midden totally apart!). Stopped at 1800h to finish setting traps - try again tomorrow. April 16 0930h - located the Crotalus (by telemetry) 1m on the opposite side of the Neotoma midden from its location yesterday. It was loosely coiled in a tangle(?) of poison oak and blackberry. After a couple of tries, I successfully moved it around its neck and put it in a plastic bucket (cut the loose string, leaving it around the snake). Will take it up to Bodegahead and get Harry Greene to palp the radio-out. Can't help but think the radio contributed to the demise of 1257. He was born in this area around 8 April 1988, pup of #4 1917, and had survived at least one litter this year. April 17 Today Harry palped out the Pt. (1257) and the radio-collar!! (at MVZ). Preserved him in alcohol.