Page:British Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fresh-water Fishes.djvu/36

BRITISH REPTILES representative we have in the Emerald Isle, and with this one exception, therefore. Saint Patrick was eminently successful in his decree banishing all such animals from that unfortunate island. It is a familiar inhabitant of various parts of the other three provinces which constitute Great Britain, but as with other reptiles already dealt with, it is strangely absent from places which seem quite suited for it. It is asserted that it is fond of high lands and mountainous districts, and whilst this is certainly true, it is, nevertheless, absent from many of them, and yet occurs in much more low-lying areas, as many authentic observers can testify. That reptiles can be, and are overlooked, is to be expected, and especially so where there is an abundance of cover. I have in mind a fine stretch of ancient common opposite my own country study at Letchworth Garden City, where I have many times seen and caught Lizards, and it may here be mentioned that I once took one, when there were several inches of snow on the ground, as early in the year (for a Lizard to be found abroad) as March loth. It lived for some weeks in captivity, and may now be seen preserved in spirits at Letchworth Museum. Most visitors to the common in question would doubtless be surprised, if not alarmed, to see a Lizard there, but it is the old story of eyes and no-eyes all through. The haunts of this Lizard are commons, downs, heaths, moors, sandhills adjoining the coast, and walls. They seem to prefer open country, but the most I ever saw were sunning themselves on a roadside wall near Morthoe, 20