171 JOURNAL, NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY OF SIAM Vd. I. 



31. Psammodynastes pulverulentns. JVie Mock Viper. 



I li.-ive seen two specimens of this little snake, both fi'om Dusit 

 Park. It is fairly common in some parts of the coiintiy. One which I 

 kept alive for some time was sh}^ and very active, but made no attempt 

 to bite when liandled. It fed upon frogs. 



Bisi rihittioii. From tiie Eastern Himalayas and fSouthern China 

 to the Malay l^eninsula and Archipelago. 



32. Dryophis mycterizaus. The Common Green Wlilp 

 Snake. 



Common in Bangkok. This snake is entirely arboreal in its 

 habits, living among the bushes and hedges about the gardens and 

 plantations. I have hardly ever seen one on the ground, nor do 1 

 think they ascend trees to any great height. It is of a gentle and placid 

 disposition. Individuals that have only just been caught show hardly 

 any fear of one, and will, after a few hours, allow themselves to be 

 handled quietly and without protest. As an instance of the placid 

 nature of this snake, a half grown specimen was once found in 

 my garden and brought in at tiffin time. It was placed among the 

 flowers on the table, and remained there calmly throughout the entire 

 meal, watching me, but making no effort to get away. Old ones are 

 sometimes bad tempered, and cannot always be trusted. Unlike most 

 snakes, that bite at j^our hands, they have a nasty habit of watch- 

 ing your face, and especially your eyes, and then suddenly making a 

 dart at you. Fortunately the teeth in the front of the jaws are ex- 

 tremely small, and they are unable to inflict any damage. It is the 

 only snake I know of that the Siamese ai'e not afraid to handle, and 

 boys may be sometimes seen carrying one along, fastened with a noose 

 of thread or string. 



The Green Whip Snake appears to take more interest in its 

 surroundings than most snakes. Captive specimens may be frequently 

 seen to observe one, following with both head and eyes whatever is 

 taking place before them. The rest of the body is kept absolutely 

 still. They hardly ever move about their cage, and will remain ex- 

 tended upon a branch in almost the same position for days together. 

 I should imagine that these snakes in a wild state seldom go in search of 

 their food, but rather wait for their ])rey to come to them. For this 

 purpose their protective coloring, harmonizing so perfectly with the 



