66 F. Finn — Long-Snouted Whip- Snake. [No. 1, 



the bird presented much the same appearance as a skin (21280 in 

 Register, exhibited on this occasion) in the Museum collection, except 

 that there were many more violet feathers visible. 



The keepers I consulted bore me out as to the regular occurrence 

 of the change of plumage in the male of this species ; and one was of 

 the opinion that the quills and tail changed also ; but this I do not 

 recollect seeing myself. Unfortunately this bird also soon after died, 

 and was not preserved. 



The existence of this change of colouration in the male of a Goereba 

 is interesting as tending to confirm the views of those naturalists ( Dr. 

 Sclater and Messrs. Baird, Brewer and Ridgway), who place the 

 Coerebidae in close connection with the Tanagers, in which group the 

 male of Pyranga rubra exhibits a similar seasonal alteration of plumage. 



Note on the Long-Snouted Whip-Snake (Dryophis mycterizans). — By F. 

 Finn, B.A., F.Z.S., Deputy Superintendent, Indian Museum. 



[Received and Read, January 5th, 1898.] 



A common belief in India accredits the Whip-Snake with the 

 propensity for deliberately striking at the eye. As this trait is not 

 alluded to by either Dr. Giinther or Dr. Boulenger in their accounts 

 of the Indian Reptilia, I venture here to bring forward an instance 

 which shows that the notion above noticed is really correct. 



On December 1st, 3897, a bird-catcher, with whom I had pre- 

 viously had dealings, brought to my quarters two specimens of the 

 Long-Snouted Whip-Snake (Dryophis mycterizans) for sale. Knowing 

 them to be harmless, and the vendor having no fear of them, I took 

 both in my hands and went to show them to a friend who was in an 

 adjoining room ; the larger one* having meanwhile struck at my hand, 

 without breaking the skin. As I was exhibiting the snakes, 1 was 

 rather unpleasantly surprised by finding this large specimen suddenly 

 dart at my eye, and inflict a bite on it, which, as I had instinctively 

 closed the threatened organ, only resulted in some small punctures on 

 the eyelids, which were just sufficient to draw a little blood. The posi- 

 tion of these, two on the upper, and one on the lower eyelid, sufficiently 

 shows, I think, the deliberateness of the reptile's aim. Of course I 

 suffered no inconvenience from the bite, although on rubbing my eye 



* This stuffed skin of this specimen was exhibited, together with a sketch of 

 the bitten eye made by the Museum artist, to show the position of the tooth-marks. 



F. F. 



