94 JOUnNAL, NATCEAL HIST. SOCIETY OF STA^F. Vol. I. 



mistake, as the characteristic feature of tlie Cobra, its hood, is bj' no 

 means always apparent, whilst in point of size and in general colora- 

 tion, there is a considerable superficial resemblance between them. 



After the python, the Common Rat Snake grows to a greater 

 size than any other species found here, frequently attaining a length of 

 seven or eight feet. The largest specimen that I have seen was killed 

 one afternoon on the lawn of the Sports Club, where it had taken up 

 its position beneath a chair, in broad daylight and with people about. 

 It measured 2110 mm. (6.11 in.), and had just eaten three large toads, 

 a fact whic^h prob:ibly accounted for its incautious behaviour on this 

 occasion. Another has beoi recorded ( Joiirn. B. N. II. S. ) measuring 

 ll.G in., but such a length is quite unusual. 



In dispositon I have found it a wild and excitable creature, 

 seeking refuge in rapid flight when encountered, but defending itself 

 vio-orously if attacked. Although named the Rat Snake, its diet con- 

 sists chiefly of frogs and toads. It is one of the few snakes which is 

 eaten by the country people. 



Color (in life). Above, from light or dark olive-brown to olive- 

 green, with well defined but irregular black cross-bars on the posterior 

 half of the body and tail. The young have, in addition, a series of 

 light, dark-edged bars across the anterior part of the body. These 

 disappear with age and after adult life are confined to the i?iterstiti;d 

 skin. Below, pale yellowish, the posterior ventral and sub-caudal 

 shields edged wiih black. Labials yellow, edged with black. 



Distrihution. From India to S. China and the Malay 

 xVrchipelngo. 



10. Zamenis korros. 



Siame.-^e, ^ lynnOlU ('^7" /"'" taUxH.). 



It is strange that Flower did not meet with this snake in 

 Bangkok and only records two specimens from the country during his 

 stay. I have found it quite as common as the preceding species, but 

 not so universally distributed, confining itself chiefly to the patches of 

 open brush-wood about the edges of the padi-fields. It has strong 

 arlioreal tendencies and is far more often to be seen coiled on a bi'anch 

 in some high bush, than on the ground. At the " Ditches " it is cjuite 

 connnon, where it keeps company with P,<ammophis coiulanarus ( alread}' 

 described ), and on one particular afternoon, after heavy rain, 1 caught 



