188 REPTILES AND FISH 



one off the track with a stick because it would not move ; 

 a lovely species, the glossy skin marked with carpet 

 pattern of different shades of purplish greys and 

 pinks, soft browns and creams, harmonizing exquisitely 

 with the lights and shades among the dead leaves 

 surrounding it. 



This was Bitis nasicornis, the puff adder of forests, 

 with a little horn on each side of the nose formed by 

 clusters of upright scales. Beautiful as is its colouring, 

 the shape is so thick and squat that this species loses 

 considerably in beauty from this cause. The much less 

 ornamental Bitis arietans, well known in South Africa, 

 was once found on Damba Island by my canoe-men 

 hidden among the rocks at the very place where the 

 canoe was kept. Somehow they managed to get a rope 

 round it, and dragged it up in triumph to my house. 

 It was 4 feet 6 inches long, and one could not but be 

 glad to be rid of so dangerous a neighbour for the bare- 

 footed men. 



Mention has been made of the booming noise uttered 

 by the crowned crane during the wet season. My boys, 

 when asked what made the noise, always replied, " E'sa- 

 lambwa " (puff adder). Some puffing ! 



The python is another fine snake, handsomely marked, 

 and when in good condition his glossy skin is really beauti- 

 ful. I only met with him once, on Kimmi Isle, when I 

 came upon a small specimen about six feet long lying 

 on a marshy bit of shore. I watched him for some time, 

 noting two Glossina fly up from him, one obviously full 

 of blood. After a while he became aware of me, and 

 moved slowly away, absolutely silently, with the dignity 

 befitting a king of snakes. 



On Ngamba Island a place was found where the dead 

 leaves in a circular area were flattened, and there was a 

 trail of flattened leaves leading to and from it. The 

 natives said this was the resting place of an " E'timba " 



