312 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



of the species in this genus, and the numerical strength in 

 individuals of many of the species which frequent trees. Many 

 other lizards, however, fall victims to its voracity. Cantor 

 mentions frogs as well, but I have never known one taken, 

 have known them refused in captivity, where lizards were 

 accepted, and Mr. Millard tells me also he found frogs were 

 not acceptable. Among other lizards Cantor found Ptychozoon 

 homalocephalum taken once ; and Evans, one of the flying 

 lizards {Draco tasnipterus) . I have known Calotes versicolor 

 taken ; and Flower, the giant gecko or tuctoo of Burma {Gecko 

 verticillalus). Evans and I reported one that had eaten a bat 

 {Taphozous longimanus), and Evans has since recorded two 

 instances where bats were devoured. Mr. Millard tells me that 

 in captivity it ' ' feeds freely on bloodsuckers, sparrows, geckoes, 

 and mice, but never eats frogs." He also says it kills by 

 crushing in its folds. 



It is interesting to note that Richards mentions one of his 

 boys having a pet Chrysopelea ornata, which he fed with milk 

 out of a saucer. He held the snake near the head, and put 

 the saucer to it, when it readily drank the milk, and in 

 comparatively large quantities. 



Dr. Malcolm-Smith records it eating another snake {Dendro- 

 phis pictus) on one occasion. 



Breeding. — {a) The Sexes ; There is no special difference in 

 the lepidosis of the sexes. My notes throw no light on to the 

 growth of the sexes. 



(6) Method of Beproduciion Not known. 



(c) Season ■ Evans and I in Burma had egg-bound speci- 

 mens in May and June, and subsequently Evans had another 

 example in a similar state in June. A brood is recorded in 

 the same month at Rangoon by Evans. 



{d) Period of Gestation : Not knovra. 



(e) The Brood: The four breeding events known to me 

 show that the brood varies from 6 to 11. 



