258 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



Habits. — (a) Haunts: It is eminently an aquatic species, 

 usually inhabiting the brackish waters of tidal-rivers, creeks, 

 and estuaries. Ferguson and Cantor say that it frequents 

 fresh water also, and Cantor, Haly, and Flower all report it 

 from the sea in close proximity to our coasts. I became acqu- 

 ainted with it in Burma, and frequently observed it in the 

 waters of the channels connected with the tidal-river system, 

 as well as in the Rangoon river itself. I frequently saw it 

 swimming in the ebb and flood tides. It swims powerfully, 

 usually allowing itself to be carried with the stream, but it 

 sometimes anchors itself to a convenient bamboo stake, anchor 

 rope, or submerged branch by its tail, and from this purchase 

 swings about in the current on the lookout for fish passing by. 

 As the tide ran out many were observed lying along the branches 

 of the trees and bushes just above the water, and when hustled 

 propped off into the stream below. Numbers were left stranded 

 on the mud flats, by the receding tide, and in the teak yards 

 nearly every bole harboured beneath it some of these snakes. 

 I have seen it exhibit some intelligence in the following manner : 

 Lying extended in the length of a nearly empty ditch, after a 

 period of quietude, it flicks its tail round first on one side and 

 then the other, in such a way as to make an unwary fish recede 

 from the movement towards its head, when coming within 

 sight the fish falls an easy victim to the manoeuvre. 



(b) Disposition: In spite of its forbidding appearance this is 

 a peculiarly inoffensive reptile. Blanford and others have 

 remarked upon its quiet nature, and I can support their observa- 

 tions. It does not usually take alarm when encountered, but 

 will permit one to approach close enough to place a stick over 

 it, and allow itself to be captured. In captivity it is a singularly 

 uninteresting lethargic creature, allowing itself to be handled, 

 and rarely betraying a malicious spirit. Drumming on the 

 glass of the vivarium even when its nose is against the glass, 

 usually evokes little, if any, response. In a tank it is hardly 

 more interesting. 



(c) Striking Posture: Taken at a disadvantage on land it 

 will occasionally exhibit great activity and try to escape. 

 When prevented from so doing it protrudes the tongue and 

 hisses, and flattens itself on the ground. When held down by 



