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THE HIMALAYAN KEELBACK (Tropidonotus platyceps.. 



Length — About three feet ; tail 9^ inches. 

 Shape — Head : distinct from neck. ' 

 Body : elongate, cylindrical. 

 Tail : moderate in length. 

 Eye : moderate with round pupil. 

 Head shields— l^iormal ; upper labials 8 (3, 4, 5). 

 Scales — 19, feebly keeled. 

 Ventrals — 177 to 235 with rounded ends. Anal divided. 



Sub-caudals 75—107. 

 Colour — Variable. Olive brown above with small black 

 spots ; frequently two black parallel lines, or 

 an elliptical marking on the nape. 

 A light black-edged streak on each side of the 



head ; or, a black line from eye to nape. 

 Belly yellowish, with or without blackish dots ; 

 frequently a black line or a series of elongate 

 blackish spots along each side of the belly; 

 lower surface of tail frequently mottled 

 blackish. 

 Throat sometimes black. 

 Habitat — Himalayas and Khasi Hills. It is common 

 in some parts, e.g., Kasauli. 



THE OLIVACEOUS KEELBACK {Helicops schistosus).* 



Length — About two feet ; tail a quarter of length. 

 Shape — Head : a short, rather pointed muzzle. 



Body : rather stout. 



Tail : rather long. 



Eye : small, pupil round, iris speckled with gold. 



Nostrils : placed rather high. 



* Atretium schistosum (Nicholson). 



