334 COMMON REPTILES OF AN INDIAN GARDEN 



by any one who has newly arrived in Calcutta from 

 Europe, both on account of its habit of often 

 entering houses, and because the servants almost 

 invariably vociferously herald the appearance of 

 one that does come in, under the idea that it is 

 a krait, Bungarus cceruleus. The mistake is not 

 at all surprising, for not only is there a very 

 considerable superficial likeness between the two 

 species in regard to size and colouring, but there 

 is a curious similarity in their habits, both being 

 specially fond of invading houses, and of establish- 

 ing themselves on the tops of pieces of furniture 

 or on the laths of Venetian shutters, even in rooms 

 that they can only reach by dint of ascending 

 staircases. They seem to have quite exceptional 

 powers of climbing, as it is not at all uncommon 

 to find a specimen on the top of a lofty bookcase 

 or wardrobe. 



Tropidonotus stolatus is a very graceful and 

 most innocent little serpent. It abounds in open 

 grassy spaces where its favourite diet of toads, 

 Bufo melanostictus, is to be met with readily. 

 Almost all snakes are apt to look somewhat un- 

 comfortable whilst gulping down a relatively large 

 mouthful, but I have never seen any of them look 

 more incommoded than specimens of this species 

 do whilst swallowing frogs or toads. They seem to 

 have no sense for relative dimensions, and will gaily 

 seize upon victims whom it seems hardly possible 



