4392 Tue ZooLocist—APRIL, 1875. 
We often find the cast-off skins of serpents in rather inconvenient 
places: at the sloughing season they sometimes secrete themselves 
under boxes, sofas, and in other cozy nooks, as proved by their 
skins being frequently found in such retreats. 
It is pleasant, after enumerating so many poisonous snakes, to 
have to mention one which is quite harmless. ‘The common grass 
or whip snake is a pretty and elegant little animal: the latter 
name is derived from its long slender form, which bears some 
resemblance to the thong of the large whip used here for driving 
oxen. It is not often seen, owing to its remarkable agility, 
and to its grass-green colour. We have a fine specimen of it 
preserved in spirits. 
There are many other kinds of snakes found in the grass, few of 
which are dangerous: most of them are said by the people here to 
eat wild berries and fruits, and the eggs of birds.* They will some- 
times enter the fowl-house and eat the eggs of the poultry; they 
suck out the contents by making a small hole at one end. 
The “ avusamans,” or black water-snake, is very common in low 
swampy land and amongst the reeds that grow along the small 
streams; it is not so often seen on the larger rivers. Its habits are 
amphibious, for although spending most of its time on land, it can 
swim and dive readily. Another species is called by the Kafirs 
“iffulu,’ and is of a beautiful bright green colour, with a white 
belly. We have never seen it out of the water, where it glides 
amongst the rocks, feeding on water-insects, &c. Notwithstanding 
the horror most people have of snakes, few could help admiring 
the graceful movements of this serpent in its native element: it 
usually attains the length of from three to four feet. Both these 
snakes are poisonous, which makes it unsafe to bathe in the places 
they frequent. It is said that if a person is bitten below the surface’ 
of the water there is no danger. Fortunately water-snakes are rarely 
found in deep water, and in the shallows they can be easily seen. 
Hornbills.— The hornbill (Buceros coronatus) is one of our 
commonest birds, and is also seen throughout the Cape Colony 
and on the western coast. Its plumage is brownish black, with 
the exception of the belly and tips of wings and tail, which are 
white: the bill is large and of a bright red colour, but, unlike the 
* T have on several occasions met with the curious statement that snakes will eat 
berries and fruit: such a notion is quite opposed to my own ideas of a snake-diet.— 
E. Newman. : 
