SNAKES OF CEYLON. 175 



It shows a decided partiality for the vicinity of water for 

 reasons Very obvious when we come to consider its diet. It 

 will take readily to water should occasion demand, and swims 

 vigorously and well, carrying its head above the surface for 

 choice, but diving when the necessity is urgent. 



I have had many killed high up in trees, 20 feet or more, 

 also on the roofs of houses. Mr. Millard tells me he once saw 

 a large dhaman up a wild date palm tree on Malabar Hill, 

 Bombay, and from the excitement shown by the small palm 

 squirrels (Funambulus palmarum), there was no doubt what it 

 was after. When I was in Fyzabad a specimen 6 feet 8 inches 

 was brought me, which was discovered high up in a tree, the 

 attention of a passer-by having been called to it by the noisy 

 demonstrations of several birds. I found it contained two 

 large chicks, each 3 J inches long, in the stomach, and a larger 

 one 4 inches long in the gullet. They were partially enveloped 

 in their shells, which were of a uniform bright blue colour. 

 They appeared to me to be much too large for crowchicks, and 

 the colour of the eggs was not corvine. In Almora one dis- 

 covered in a hollow tree tenanted by a colony of bats was 

 found, when killed, to have eaten six bats. 



(6) Disposition: It is undoubtedly when provoked a very 

 fierce snake, and if brought to bay will assume the offensive 

 with great courage and determination ; but this side of its 

 nature is rarely exhibited, as, like other snakes, it prefers to 

 acknowledge man's supremacy by seeking swift escape when 

 this offers. I have many times jumped into the middle of its 

 coils when I have seen it enjoying a siesta, but have never 

 been menaced, or struck at once, the reptile's acknowledgment 

 of the rude awakening being manifested by speedy disappear- 

 ance. On occasion, however, and specially if reasonable 

 chances of escape are denied, it will attack with great malice. 

 Father Dreckman once chased a specimen nearly 8 feet long, 

 and managed to place his foot over the hole it was making for. 

 Baulked in its attempt to escape, it coiled itself up and jumped 

 straight at his face. Luckily Father Dreckman drew back his 

 head in time to evade a blow in the face, but the reptile 

 fastened itself on to his shoulder with such purpose that its 

 teeth penetrated not only his clothes, but actually lacerated 



