| OCR Text |
Show 508 MESSRS. MOLE AND URICH O N T H E [June 19, the back of the species being rounded. When adult they are of a uniform greenish-brown or olive colour, with two lighter longitudinal stripes between back and side, extending the greater length of the body, one on either side. They are white underneath. W h e n young these snakes are prettily mottled, the back being ornamented with cross bands of a lighter hue. The scales in these bauds are edged with white. These bands extend as far as where the stripes will appear when the snake is adult, and there they abruptly end. Between these cross bands, beginning on the lower side of the stripes, are similar bands to those on the back. These hitter extend as far as the ventrals. Towards the tail all these markings grow fainter, and at its beginning they cease altogether, the tail being of the colour which the snake will wear when adult. These snakes probably reach a length of 4 feet. They are tolerably common, and feed on frogs aud lizards when young and mice and birds when full-grown. The adults have rarely perfect tails, these appendages being probably damaged in their fights with mice. They move with great swiftness, and when caught bite with determination, trying to work their tiny teeth well into the skin before letting go. They are found in trees and on the ground indiscriminately. COLUBER CORAIS. This reptile in Trinidad, called the " Cribo," is one of the commonest in the island and averages 4 or 5 feet in length, though specimens are not uncommon of 7 and even 8 feet. In colour it is black with a dirty yellowish-brown tail, which is brighter towards the extremity. The plates on its head and the labials frequently exhibit a tawny hue. It moves at a smart pace, especially when in long grass; climbs and swims well. AVhen captured it turns fiercely on the aggressor, and, inflating its neck, bites him, emitting at the same time an offensive odour, which reminds one of the habit of the English ringed snake, Tropidonotus natrix. So long, however, as the person holding the Cribo has sufficient presence of mind not to withdraw the bitten part, the wounds inflicted by its teeth are the merest punctures; but if the bitten one forgets this axiom and pulls back, the Cribo, which is somewhat of a bulldog in disposition, does not let go without a struggle, and his teeth then inflict long ugly scratches. The Cribo lays from nine to twelve eggs, rather larger in size than a pigeon's. The Cribo preys upon frogs, young birds, and rats, and old specimens have invariably lost the tips of their tails, and are marked all over with the scars of wounds which they have received in battles with their victims. The Cribo, on seeing a rat, rushes on it with a sudden motion and seizes it by head, tail, or middle of the body, whichever part comes first, and at once begins to swallow. The victim turns round and buries his long rodent teeth in the Cribo's skin. But the snake keeps on rapidly working his jaws, and the wretched rat ultimately lets go in order the more freely to gasp for breath, when he is promptly engulfed in the snake's jaws. |
