242 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



Variegation noticeable is confined to the flanks. There are 

 spots near the edge of most of the ventrals on each side. 

 The head marks are as in the foregoing. The specimens 

 recorded by Gunther are from the Deccan and Matheran. 

 Others have been recorded from Bombay, Poona., and Ceylon. 



Habits. — {a) Haunts : It is frequently found in the imme- 

 diate environment of man. I have had many from gardens 

 in Cantonments, and it is not an unusual visitor in houses, 

 taking up its abode among the pot plants. It evidently 

 frequents marshy places in order to obtain frog's spawn. 



(6) Disx>osition : The few specimens that have come into 

 my hands aliVe have all been particularly well behaved, 

 allowing me to handle them freely without attempting to 

 bite. Mr. Gleadow, however, mentions one that he wounded 

 and attempted to carry home over a stick, which repeatedly 

 fell off and on being replaced " savagely attacked " him twice. 

 It is a quietly disposed creature with sufficient spirit, however, 

 to resent interference, and prompt it to make active attempts 

 to escape when encountered. 



(c) Nocturnal or Diurnal : Though often captured at night, 

 it is diurnal in habit, and it is frequently encountered by 

 coolies in the pursuit of their usual avocations. 



Food. — Its diet consists of lizard's and snake's eggs and 

 frog's spawn. I have found several with masses of batra- 

 chian spawn in the stomach. Where lizard's eggs have 

 furnished the repast, the stomach is sometimes distended with 

 coagulated yolk, that makes a cast of that organ. If this is 

 broken up the empty egg cases will frequently be discovered. 

 Where eggs are on the point of hatching the baby lizards are 

 eaten, either with or without their egg investments. One 

 small example measuring 158 mm. {6J inches) had eaten a 

 single lizard's or snake's egg measuring 18 mm. (| of an inch) 

 in length. 



Breeding.- — (a) The Sexes : Of 28 examples collected in the 

 Nilgiri Hills, 10 proved to be males and 18 females. Females 

 have relativelj^ longer bodies, and consequently more 

 numerous ventral shields, 



