SNAKES OF CEYLON. 307 



a branch, or on the top of a trellis work even about one's own 

 height, will frequently escape detection, though but a few feet 

 or even inches away. 



The very fact that Cantor and Stoliczka, in unison with 

 other observers, mention that geckoes are the principal food, 

 seems to me to refute their suggestion that Chrysopelea is 

 terrestrial in habit, for geckoes are eminently arboreal. It is 

 to be noted also that all the food partaken of, other than 

 geckoes, is of a nature to be obtained usually by climbing. 

 Cantor's inclusion of frogs in their dietary does not vitiate this 

 remark, for though he does not say so, the species taken may 

 have been arboreal forms. 



Chrysopelea is not infrequently found about, and actually 

 inside, habitations. Flower mentions this, and Evans and I 

 •had similar experiences in Burma. I well remember in 

 Colombo, too, one that had taken up its quarters in an old 

 packing case, which was full of straw and other packing 

 material. A cooly was ordered to clear this out, and stepped 

 into the box to carry out his orders. His exit reminded one 

 of an incautious bather who has stepped into over -hot water. 

 The alacrity of movement so foreign to the cooly 's nature 

 was explained by the subsequent discovery of a snake of this 

 species. Dr. Malcolm-Smith says it is " very common in 

 Bangkok (Siam), and owing to its partiality for living in 

 houses, is the snake which is brought more into contact with 

 the residents of the town than any other kind." 



(b) Disposition : Very divergent views, again, have been 

 expressed on this point. Cantor remarks on the gentleness of 

 the species, whilst Flower, on the other hand, says : " Chryso- 

 pelea ornata is the fiercest snake I have met. Under circum- 

 stances when most snakes, harmless and poisonous alike, would 

 try to glide away quietly, this one will turn to attack the 

 person who disturbs it, and will attempt to resist capture to 

 the uttermost, striking, and biting ferociously .... 

 Individuals I have at various times tried to keep in captivity 

 showed no signs of becoming tamer, and would always bite 

 my hand when I put it in the vivarium, and being also an 

 annoyance to the other inmates of the cage, I have only kept 

 them for a few days at a time." 



