MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 197 



The Grass Snake first attracted my attention as it lay on 

 the side of a bund in the padi field, apparently lifeless. On going 

 to pick it up, however, I found that it was not dead, but that it was 

 firmly -caught by the neck by something, and partly pulled into a 

 hole in the bank, so that its head was doubled back on its body. So 

 tightly was it held that it required considerable force to extract it, 

 and in doing so revealed the head and neck of an Earth Snake, with 

 its jaws firmly closed on the Grass Snake's neck. On trying to pull 

 the Earth Snake out further, it relinquished its hold and retreated 

 deeply into the bank, from where I was unable to recover it. From 

 the view I obtained I gathered it to be about the same size as its 

 victim. Presumably it was in residence in the hole in the bank, and 

 the Grass Snake, entering in search of food, had been suddenly 

 surprised and seized in the manner described. In no other way can 

 I account for such a snake as Natrix piscator, well known for its 

 active habits and aggressive nature, being overcome by another 

 snake no larger than itself. In due course the Earth Snake would 

 have worked its jaws along to its victim's head and then swallowed it. 



Of the voracious habits of Cylindrophis rufus I have seen 

 many instances. This snake feeds, as far as I know, upon eels and 

 other snakes, and several specimens that have been sent me have 

 disgorged meals, nearly as thick as, and several inches longer than, 

 themselves. 



Both snakes are common in Bangkok and throughout Siam 

 in the lowland country. C. rufus is a nocturnal species, and in 

 Bangkok, may be often seen lying in the road where it has been 

 killed. It is easily recognised by its thick, purplish-brown body, 

 with incomplete whitish bands. The tail is very short and pink 

 underneath. It does not bite when captured, but has a curious habit 

 of arching its tail over its back in the manner of a scorpion, showing 

 the pink under surface, and looking most aggressive. The tail is 

 blunt and of about the same thickness as the head, and to the Siamese 

 this creature is often known as the two-headed snake. It is reputed 

 to be very dangerous. N. piscator is the common Grass Snake of 

 the padi fields. When caught it bites fiercely, but with its small 

 teeth can not do much damage. 



Malcolm Smith. 



Bangkok, Oct. 20th 1921. 



No. IV.— Curious Fishing; Ceremony on the Upper Mekong. 



Recently while on tour in the north of Siam, I came across 

 an interesting ceremony amoung the Lao people at Wieng Kuk, near 

 Vien Chan on the Upper Mekong. 



From the 13th increase of the moon to the 15th in February 



VOL. IV, NO. 4 3, 1921. 



