344 COMMON REPTILES OF AN INDIAN GARDEN 



paratively innocuous creatures, because they are so 

 lively and vigilant, very ready to try to get out of the 

 way on any alarm, and also because before striking they 

 normally sit up, spread their hoods, and gesticulate 

 in a threatening fashion. There is, therefore, little 

 cause to fear them whilst one is walking along 

 narrow paths, even after dark, so long, at least, as 

 one gives them warning of approach by tapping 

 on the ground with a stick. The greater number 

 of cases of bites by cobras seems to take place at 

 night, and in confined spaces, such as the interior of 

 huts, in which the snakes have not complete freedom 

 for movement, and where human beings are apt to 

 come into sudden and direct contact with them. 

 At the same time, however, there is much variation 

 in the temper of different varieties of cobras, and, 

 as is so often noticeable among other sorts of 

 animals, there would seem to be a distinct correlation 

 between darkness of colour and badness of temper. 

 It is probably in part owing to a recognition of this 

 that the cobras ordinarily seen in the hands of the 

 so-called snake-charmers are of a very light colour, 

 although the choice may also be to some extent of 

 aesthetic origin, seeing that the paler varieties are 

 specially ornamental, due to the brilliancy of their 

 markings and the great development of their hoods. 



No native of India, who is at all used to deal 

 with snakes, ever shows the least hesitation in hand- 

 ling cobras. He will fearlessly enter small enclosed 



