THE SNAKES OF BANGKOK. 97 
Although the Painted Tree Snake is not vicious or prone to bite 
in captivity, its shy disposition never seems to leave it, and it always 
resents being handled. That it has the power of springing or 
planing from one tree to another, a habit which has given rise to the 
stories of flying snakes, has been well established. 
Length. 1200 mm., the tail forming from 4 to 4 of the total 
measurement. 
Color (in life). Above, bronze-brown. A creamy yellow stripe 
runs down each flank to the vent, bordered below by a black one of equal 
width which passes along the costo-ventral junction, and usually by a 
narrower one above in its posterior two-thirds, Below pearly white. 
Head with a black band passing through the eye en to the neck. 
Upper labials white. Tongue pinkish. The interstitial skin of this 
snake is very handseme, and shows up strongly when the creature, under 
excitement, dilates its body. Upon the neck and anterior part of the 
body it is pale blue, behind, pale green. 
Distribution. From India to Indo-China and the Malay Archi- 
pelago. 
19. Simotes cyclurus. 
Al 
) 4 2 
Siamese. YiViIuuUng ( ngu kao pt kaa-o.) 
pI] 
A fatrly common and widely distributed species. It is nocturnal 
in its habits, but may be found by day hiding itself away in dark nooks 
and crannies im all sorts of situations. 
This snake is credited by the Siamese with giving utterance to 
that peculiar, high-pitched, drawn-out whistling note, which is heard so 
frequently. by Bangkok residents after dark. Its Siamese title of 
‘‘pi kaa-o”, meaning literaily ‘a crystal flute”, is given to it in 
recognition of this call, and is very appropriate. { have kept no 
records, but believe it can be heard: during any month in the year, 
although it is most frequent during the hot, dry weather. I have 
often endeavoured to discover the author of this sound, but have so far 
been unsuccessful, although fi have strong reasons for thinking it is 
some kind of bat. Mr. Gairdner, on the other hand, tells me he 
feels sure it is a species of cricket. The point upon which we both 
agree is that it is not caused by this snake, or indeed any snake 
at all, although the idea that it is so is widely believed throughout 
the country. 
