MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 955 



No. XXII-AN ENCOUNTER WITH A HAMADRYAD 



(NAIA BUNGARUS). 

 On 4th November 1920, Mr. Rennie and I, accompanied by six dogs, started 

 at about 11 a.m. for a walk in the jungle. We were some two miles from Kalaw 

 at an elevation of about 4,800' and were following a path which, at a certain 

 spot, runs along the lower boundary of a jungle clearing for potatoes and also 

 close to the head of a small, well wooded, ravine. The country round about for 

 some 80 or 100 yards is, excepting for some bushes and odd trees, open. At 

 this place some of the dogs, which were some 30 yards ahead, started barking. 

 We could see nothing but it was evident they were watching something with 

 no Uttle curiosity. We suspected a snake. On getting nearer Mr. ReniSe said 

 he distinctly heard hissing from some bushes around which the dogs had taken 

 post. I approached the bushes cautiously but retired very hurriedlv. There 

 was a fine hamadryad coiled up with his head on top and his coils moving to and 

 fro as is the custom with snakes when irritated. His markings were pronounced 

 and his skin so fresh and bright as to suggest his having recently sloughed. All 

 we did was to try and keep the dogs from being too inquisitive. Two Shans 

 happened to be coming along from the opposite direction. We called to them 

 and mentioned that there was a good sized hamadryad lying in the bushes where 

 the dogs were. They said ' come away, take care, he will attack j^ou'. We 

 knew there was a chance of trouble ; however we asked them to get some long 

 sticks, which they did. We all advanced towards the bushes and the hamadryad 

 was exactly in the place where I first saw him. The Shan near me at once had 

 a smite at him with his pole, the snake rolled over and got into another place. 

 Unfortunately the stick having to go through some of the bush broke the force 

 of the blow. As soon as we again got a view of him the other Shan had a go at 

 the snake and I think he missed him. The snake moved to another spot, and 

 while we were trying •o see exactly where he was, he suddenly came out, dogs 

 after him, and headed for the nullah some ten or twelve yards away. He was, 

 however, so intent on getting away that he started to climb a tree between the 

 bushes and nullah and went up in great style. We estimated his length between 

 11' and 12'. Something, however, went wrong, I think myself due to injury, 

 as he seemingly lost all control and fell down. Had we been bold enough we 

 might have gone for him, on the other hand though he had shown no inclination 

 to be nasty there was no reason why he might not think he had had enough and 

 turn the tables. He made for the nullah with all the dogs in attendance. They 

 were very nervy and one dog, a Shan, seemed to be very interested. No one 

 can deny that if ever a hamadryad had good reason to attack this one had, 

 he had heaps of provocation and lots of time to make up his mind. I am more 

 than ever convinced that hamadryads as a rule are as glad to escape as most 

 other snakes. It is possible he may have lost his head when surrounded by the 

 pack, be this as it may he never once showed the faintest attempt even to 

 defend himself. The Shans informed us that some three weeks previously they 

 had found a hamadryad lying in a hole at the top end of the field. Of course 

 they said it was the same one. 



Rangoon, G. H. EVANS, Col., c.i.e., c.b.e. 



21st Feb. 1921. 

 [We published an instance of an unprovoked attack by a King Cobra in 

 Vol. XV., p. 358. Editors.] 



No XXIII— THE FOOD OF THE BURMESE ROLLER (C. AFFINIS) 



AND OF THE ASHY DRONGO (D. NIGRESGENS). 



Writei-s on Indian Ornithology generaUy mention the fact that Rollers take 



food other than insects. Several of these birds visit my compound but one m 



particular seems to be resident as he is to be seen from early dawn to dewy eve. 



39 



