—_S = 
THE SNAKES OF BANGKOK. 95 
‘or saw no less than twelve in about an. hour. Where these two species 
live during the dry months I have not yet been able to discover, but 
they disappear from this haunt after November and do not reappear 
until the rains have again set in. 
Length, 2000-mm. ( Boulenger), but I have never seen any 
specimen from Bangkok of such dimensions. A very large skin in 
my possession, however, which I think may be undoubtedly referred 
to this species, was recently killed by Mr. Keddie in the valley of the 
Meklong. It measured in life, 8 ft. (2440 mm.). The dried skin 
(of which a considerable portion of the tail is missing ) measures 
2260 mm. 1 
Color (in life). Above, olive-brown, olive-green or olive-grey, 
the scales on the posterior part of. the body and tail, edged and 
tipped with black. Below, rich yellow in the anterior part, fading to 
pale yellowish or whitish behind. 
Distribution. From the E, Himalayas to S. China and the 
Malay Archipelago. 
17. Coluber radiatus. 
Siamese, 4 NW Ns wong (nyu tang maprao). 
“Tang maprao,’ meaning the mid-rib of the coconut palm 
dent refers to the broad black bands which this snake bears upon its 
sides. The name, however, is not confined te this species, but may be 
‘used to designate any species that has a conspicuous lateral stripe. 
It is not a common snake in Bangkok, although it is more 
plentiful in the country districts outside. It prefers the open country 
or the plantations and gardens adjacent thereto, although in search of 
food it will enter human habitations. Its habits and disposition are 
much like these of the Common Rat Snake. 
This snake possesses in a marked degree the power of expanding, 
in a vertical direction, its throat and the anterior part of its body. 
The. point is well brought out in the photograph, which shows also the 
menacing attitude: adopted by this creature when cornered, with the 
fore-part of its body thrown into a series of loops and the mouth widely 
agape, ready to dash at anything. Under these conditions it is 
extremely handsome, the jet black bars with which it is mirked at this 
part showing up vividly against the pale fawn of the rest of the body. 
‘The illustration shown is of a fine specimen which was caught crossing” 
