SNAKES OF CEYLON. 233 



Habits. — (a) Haunts : Nearly all the specimens I have had 

 came from within Cantonment limits. I have come across 

 many alive on the roads or the wayside, and have even met 

 with it on the open parade ground more than once. More 

 usually it does not stray from within easy touch of efficient 

 cover. It appears to make its home for the most part in 

 masonry, frequently domiciling itself in bungalows and 

 outhouses. I have received many with the report that they 

 were found in the house. Mr. Reid tells me that in Behar, 

 where it is common, it frequents buildings and old walls. 

 I once had one sent to me that had fallen into a well in the 

 compound, having probably fallen from the masonry. One 

 received by me was found at night in the bedding of one of 

 the Gurkhas encamped on granite hill, Almora. This like 

 other kukri snakes is, of course, harmless, but a specimen 

 in Bannu was responsible for the death of a sepoy. I am 

 indebted to Captain Sumner, I.M.S., for the details of the 

 incident. It appears that the sepoy, with others, was on duty 

 at Kurram Garti (8 miles from Bannu) and under canvas. 

 He came off sentry at about 11 p.m., removed his uniform, 

 and laid down on his bed on the ground. He jumped up 

 immediately rubbing his buttock, and declared that some- 

 thing had bitten him there. His companions searched his 

 bedding, and there found a snake which they killed. They 

 examined him, but could see no signs of a bite, and tried to 

 persuade him, though without success, that he had not been 

 bitten. The next morning he did not get up, and his com- 

 panions could not rouse him. The hospital assistant was 

 sent for and found him comatose. He did what he could for 

 him and sent him in a dhooly to Bannu, but he expired on 

 the way. Captain Sumner here examined the body, and 

 could find no local signs of the bite, and was much perplexed 

 as to the cause of death. The snake was put into a bottle 

 and kept in the hospital, and when I heard of the case I wrote 

 to Lieutenant -Colonel Magrath in Bannu, who sent me the 

 specimen. To my surprise I found the author of the mischief 

 was a common kukri snake, 1 foot 7£ inches long. It seems 

 to me that the man must have died of fright, believing him- 

 self bitten. 

 35 6(6)20 



