39 



Co^owrin^— Glistening black with linear narrow or 

 broad white cross-bars, usually most apparent 

 in the posterior part of the body. 



Habitat— India,. Said to be common nearly every- 

 where. In my experience it is not so very 

 frequently met with, though harmless snakes 

 are constantly being mistaken for kraits. 



THE BRANDED KRAIT (Bungarus fasciatus'). 



Length— May grow to six feet, but not often found as 



long as this. 

 Shape — Head : small ; not very distinct. 



Body : the back is ridged along the spine. 



Tail : very short, blunt and stumpy. 



Eye : small ; the edge of the iris is golden ; pupil 



round. 

 Teeth : a short poison-fang. 

 Head shields — Same as the common Indian krait. , 

 Scales — 15, smooth. The vertebral row is markedly 

 enlarged, the scales being broader than they 

 are long. 



Ventrals— 200 to 233 ; anal entire. Sub-caudals 23 — 37, 



entire. 

 Colouring -Alternately and completely banded black 



and yellow. 

 Habitat — Burrtia and Assam, where it is said to be 



common ; also found in Eastern Bengal and 



other parts of India, but is rare in India. 



THE COBRA (Naiatri^tidiana). 



Length — From 4 to 6 feet. It is rare to find one measur- 

 ing more than 5| feet. 



