174 COACHING IN CEYLON 



removing the pots of Intoxicating ''toddy," 

 which have filled durino- the nio-ht. 



Of tropical animal life we see little, unless 

 it be a troop of monkeys among the trees. 

 When we pass the open rice fields, or thick 

 pieces of jungle, barbets, golden orioles, 

 kinorfishers, and other brlo^ht-coloured birds 

 are to be seen. Aorain, at times huo^e 

 iguanas, as big as small alligators, shuffle off 

 the road, hissing angrily. 



A staore or two further on we made the 

 acquaintance of a typical Ceylon coach horse. 

 There appeared, squealing at the sight of 

 the coach, about the most repulsive-looking 

 specimen of the equine race I have ever set 

 eyes on. In colour It was a pale dun, with 

 white main and tail, Its nose and underparts 

 pinkish, and the eyes distinctly green. I 

 will pass over struggles lasting nearly half 



