SNAKES OF CEYLON. 93 



on each parietal shield near the interparietal suture. Mr. 

 Drummond-Hay tells me that the last variety is much the 

 commonest up-country. 



Habits. — (a) Haunts : It frequents the neighbourhood of 

 water, and abounds in rivers, tanks, paddy fields, and pools, 

 but where the vegetation is rank and damp enough to 

 harbour frogs, it may wander some distance from water, and 

 will occasionally enter the bungalow. Once in Assam a cow 

 that was observed indulging in a giddy frolic was seen to rid 

 herself of a piscator that had got on her back ! 



(b) Disposition : With the exception of the Eckis, 

 I think it is the most vicious snake I know. It is ever ready 

 to bite, and strikes with great determination and rapidity, 

 fastening itself with such tenacity that I have known it 

 necessary to prize apart the jaws to disengage its hold. Even 

 hatchlings exhibit this ill-temper, and I have frequently been 

 bitten by them when trying to effect their capture. 



(c) Striking Posture : When encountered at close quarters, 

 it erects the forebody and flattens it cobra-wise to a remark- 

 able extent, and then hurls itself at any offending object, 

 into which it buries its teeth with great malice. Very many 

 cases of snake bite are to be attributed to this species. 



(d) Nocturnal or Diurnal : It is for the most part diurnal 

 in habit, and is frequently to be met with disporting itself 

 in pools or floods, or in the act of swallowing some victim. 

 On the other hand, I have frequently encountered it at night 

 crossing roads, or been attracted to some spot by the piteous 

 and very human cries of some wretched batrachian, only to 

 find a piscator in the act of devouring a victim. 



(e) Progression : It is an extremely active snake, that 

 usually strives to eJude any threatening danger, in fact, 

 I know of no snake that can compare with it for muscular 

 strength and agility. It is a most remarkable thing that it 

 can actually jump clear off the ground, and will do so repeat- 

 edly if pursued. I have heard many jugglers call this " the 

 jumping snake " and give a demonstration of this surprising 

 activity. On several occasions, too, when bicycling or 

 driving, I have seen this snake leap forward to evade 

 the quickly advancing wheels. Even my hatchlings have 



