Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-08
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THE NEST OF THE CROCODILE.


The favorite haunts of the crocodile being
but seldom visited, in consequence of tho
insalubrity of the localities in which they
are generally to be found, and of the
dangerous character of their inhabitants.
the habits of these animals are very i'm
perfectly known. The following account
of two nests, which were recently found
within few miles of Colombo, may there
fore lbe interesting to naturalists. The
first OF these nests was discovered by Mr..
Symonds of the survey department, who
found it to contain about one hundred and
fifty eggs which he removed, not without
considerable risk, having been repeatedly
charged by the old crocodile who was
guarding them. My curiosity having been
excited by the description which received
OF the nest by MIR. Symonds, / went to ex-
anime it myself. l found it amongst the
bushes on the swampy bank of the Boil
godde lake, at distance of few feet
from the water. The nest itself consisted
OF wet vegetable matter mixed with mud,
and was raised to the hight of between
three and four feet. presenting in shape
very much the appearance of small
conical haycock, but in color and consis-
tcncy that of heap of dung. Round the
base of the cone was circular trench,
more than three feet broad, and about two
feet deep, in which the old crocodile was
wont to wallow while watching her nest
The circle enclosed by this trench, the
whole of which was covered by the base
Of the nest, was between six and seven
feet in diameter. am not aware that
these conical nests have been previously
noticed. The eggs are placed at a hight
OF at least two feet above the surface of
the water; and, although the nests in
Ceylon are principally composed of antique
weeds, in a wet state, which might be ex-
pected to give out considerable heat in
fermenting, yet do not believe that any
artificial heat is required to hatch the
eggs, because several eggs, which
were procured from the Bolgodde nests,
were hatched in my house, being
merely deposited in earth which was kept
damp and exposed to the rays of the sun.
| While examining the nest that had been
discovered by Mr.. Symonds, we were
told by some natives who accompanied us
that there was another nest, within mile
or two of the spot, which had not yet been
disturbed. On visiting this second nest,
we found it in all respects very like the
| first, except that it was not so large, and
that, beside the trench which surrounded
it, there were one or two holes in the
swamp in which the natives said that the
old crocodile was accustomed to lie
Warned by the narrow escape which Mr..
SymOnds had when examining the first
nest, we approached very cautiously, ex-
pecting an attack every moment, and when
we were all assembled on the edge of the
trench surrounding the nest, we hesitated
to cross it, because it was when he was in
the act OF stepping across the trench that
Mr.. Symonds was first attacked by the
other crocodile, which raised its formid-
able jaws directly beneath him, and would
no doubt have etfectually put stop to his
proceedings, had he not promptly dis
charged the contents of his fowling-piece
down her throat. This shot was not,
however, fatal for Mr. Symonds was
subsequently charged twice by, as he be-
lieyes, the same crocodile On finding,
however, that no crocodile appeared, our
confidence returned; and at length one of
our number ventured to approach near
enough to remove the top of the nest,
and to take away the eggs, of which he
procured twenty-five. On my expressing
astonishment at the pacific conduct of the
present crocodile, and suggesting that it
was probably absent in pursuit of food, the
conviction that it was at that moment in
the trench, but that it was of different
caste from the first. Further inquiries
have satisfied me that this belief in the
existence of two different species, or, as
natives call them, castles of crocodiles, is
universal in the country; and DIR. j. An
derson, of the Indian museum, Calcutta,
informs me that similar belief prevails
in na1 hn Oh
closely resembles the crocodile of Ceylon,
if it be not identical with it. One caste
is said to contine itself to fish diet, while
the other attacks human beings. The
former, called by the Sinhalese Ellie KIM
bola, or gray crocodile, grows to larger
size than the more savage species, and it
is said to be that which is found about
Kornegalle. AS have two thriving spec
linens, Matched from the eggs of the croc-
odile which attacked Mr. Symonds, and am
promised one of the progeny of that which
submitted so quietly to the plundering of
its nest IN my presence, hope that 1
shall be able to ascertain, by the aid of
some eminent English naturalist. whether
they belong to the same or to different
species. AT present they present no diff
ference that an unscientitic eye can detect.
may mention that there is some diff
Guilty in bringing up young crocodiles by
hand, as they obstinately irefuse every
kind of food that have presented to them.
One. which was brought to me some years
ago, died of inanition, although for
week or ten days that it was in my pos
session, ! constantly tempted it with both
flesh and fish. Those which now have l
feed by forcing bits OF raw meat down
their throats with n stick two or three times
week. Under this treatment they seem
to thrive, having about doubled in size
since they left the egg; but the operation
is not a pleasant one, and requires some
dexterity, as their teeth are exceedingly
sharp, and they lose no opportunity Of
turning upon the hand that feeds them
Rer. Bancroft Bouke.