45 



Chapter VII. 



SOME RECORDS OF SNAKE HUNTING. 



One of the finest places in Ceylon for snake 

 catchino:, both on account of its accessibility and f^^ Anurad- 



1 ^ • 1 r r f T hapura 



the geographical features of the surrounding country, 

 country, is Anuradhapura. This is the only place 

 situated in the midst of the large Northern forests 

 where there is an hotel, and one does not have to 

 depend upon Resthouses, which latter are un- 

 suitable if a long stay of three weeks or a month 

 is intended. 



It is true that the rapid progress of civilisation 

 has driven away much of the game from the nearer 

 forests, but it has not, to any appreciable extent, 

 diminished the vast number of snakes to be found 

 in that district, and even in Anuradhapura itself. 

 In fact, snakes are rather partial to human habit- 

 ations. Houses mean food, and food means rats 

 and mice, which are dainties much sought after by 

 snakes ; in addition to this, there are the numerous 

 " Tanks," jungle ponds, paddy fields, and artificial 

 waterways, and last, but not least, the crumbling 

 ruins, creeper-covered, and a mass of crannies and 

 holes. All these features combined make the 

 Anuradhapura district one of the " snakeyest " in 

 the Island. 



During the three weeks that I spent there, 

 snake catching, in December 'eg, I obtained the 

 following specimens, in addition to many which I 

 saw and did not catch, and many which I caught 

 but did not kill and skin : — 



5 Ancistrodon Hypnale, 



7 Zamenis Mucosus, 



I Dendrophis Pictus, 



