A BALLAN man has received an unwelcome birthday present courtesy of a brown snake in a banana box. The man, who turned 31 today, was unpacking a box of bananas at the Footscray market this morning when he was bitten on the left hand by what was believed to be a brown snake.The snake was concealed in the box which had been transported from Coffs Harbour.Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said the 31 year-old man initially did not seek treatment but returned home on a train to Ballan.Friends later brought him to the Ballan hospital. Mr Mullen said the man was now being taken by ambulance in a serious but stable condition to Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital.