SNAKES OF CEYLON. 271 



had several examples brought to me found coiled up on 

 the ground beneath a bush, during the day time, apparently- 

 asleep. 



In bushes it coils itself into a little heap, unlike the tree 

 snakes of other genera, which recline with the body extended 

 in graceful curves, distributing their weight on many points, 

 unless they are actually resting in their major or full length 

 along a suitable branch. 



Nurse reports having frequently seen it in Guzerat, where 

 it appears to be very abundant, curled up on the top of cactus 

 hedges. It sometimes takes up its abode (perhaps for the 

 deposition of eggs) in a hole in a tree trunk, and in one instance 

 one had evidently recently tenanted a crypt in the crevices 

 of a wall, as its slough was seen partly issuing from a hole in 

 the face of the brickwork. 



After the foregoing observations, it will appear remarkable 

 that such a creature can adapt itself completely to a desert 

 environment, but such is undoubtedly the case, for Blanford 

 records one from Gwadar in Baluchistan, which, he says, is 

 merely a fishing village on a barren spit of sand, between a 

 rocky promontory and the mainland, where there is not a 

 single tree and scarcely a bush to be found. 



(6) Disposition : This with others of its genus is one of the 

 most intrepid snakes I know. Often with no further provoca- 

 tion than being suddenly disturbed or confronted, it will 

 assume an attitude of defiance, and, with little hesitation, will 

 boldly act on the offensive. 



(c) Striking Posture : The attitude it adopts at these times 

 is very characteristic. The head and forebody are erected 

 well off the ground, and the latter thrown into loops, of which 

 two overlapping one another, are thrown to one side and one 

 on the other, the head being poised in the middle of the figure - 

 of- 8 so formed. The rest of the body lies variably disposed 

 in sinuous extension. Prior to its stroke the erected part is 

 swayed slightly forwards and backwards, whilst the body is 

 inflated and deflated with agitation, and the tail briskly 

 vibrated with emotion. Poised thus, intently watching the 



