LIST OF SNAKES TAKEN IN TRA VANCORE. 71 



Platyplecturus sanguineus. — This is only found at high elevations. 

 I have it recorded from the High Range and Pirmerd. 



Family COLUBRIDJE. 

 Sbeies a. — Aglypha. 



Xylophis perroteti. — One specimen from the' High Range. 



XylopMs stenorhyncus . — One specimen taken at J^edumangad, ten 

 miles from Trevandrum, at the foot of the hills. Thirty years ago 

 this place was well in the forest, but is now more or less open country. 



Lycodon travancoricus, — This is a very common snake both in the 

 low country and in the hills and is often found in bungalows. It is 

 mistaken for Bungarus cmruleus sometimes, but may be readily dis- 

 tinguished from it by the absence of the hexagonal scales running 

 along the centre of the back. It does not appear to live in captivity. 



Lycodon aulicus, — Common in the low country, but 1 have not 

 recorded a single specimen from the hills ; like the above our captive 

 specimens have only lived a short time. 



Dryocalamus nymplia^ — Two specimens only received. 



Polyodontopliis suhpunctatus. — A single specimen was brought to 

 me alive taken in Trevandrum. 



Simotes arnensis.—Two specimens taken in Trevandrum, One was 

 brought alive, but did not survive long. 



Oligodon travancoricus. — Several specimens of this snake have been 

 sent to me from the High Range. 



Oligodon hrevicaudaia. — A single specimen taken at Pirmerd. 



Oligodon subgriseus.—'Yhh is a fairly common snake in the hills of 

 both North and South Travancore, less so in the plains, but I have 

 taken it in Trevandrum, and also have it recorded from Cottayam. 

 I have kept it in captivity, but it does not thrive. 



Oligodon a^nis. — Two specimens, one from the High Range and 

 the other from the foot of the hills. 



Zamenis tnucosus, — The rat-snake is one of the commonest snakes 

 both in the hills and plains. Mr. Ingleby, the Superintendent of the 

 Public Gardens, writes : " It is about the most active in confinement 

 and next to the python thrives the best ; its favourite food is a 

 medium-sized frog, of which a fair-sized snake will eat about twenty- 

 two at a meal. Confinement seems to retard their growth. They 



