Page:British Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fresh-water Fishes.djvu/37

COMMON LIZARD in North Devon. For a mile or more specimens of this active little species were in almost constant view, in several instances little companies of half a dozen or so being happily gathered together. It was mid-August, and the reptiles were represented in various sizes. The specific name of Vivipara is somewhat misleading as, although this species does bring forth living young, it also deposits unhatched eggs. In the latter case the egg- membrane is burst soon after extrusion, but this is not invariably so, as I have known a group of eggs (they number from 6 to 12) to be some time before the young emerged, and instances have also come under my observa- tion where the eggs have not hatched, being apparently infertile. The small black-coloured young scamper about directly they are born, and after a few days learn to obtain their own living. Insects of various kinds go to make up the food, and these are captured with much dexterity and cunning. As with other members of the Order Reptilia, the colour-variation in Lacerta vivipara is a distinctive feature, and it may here be stated that the factors governing this colour-variation may, according to Professor Gerald Leighton, be given thus: Age, Climate, Food, Heredity, Light, Locality, Moisture, Sex, or Temperature. Gadow mentions that the general colour of our present species is brown or reddish above, spotted with darker and lighter colour. In many individuals there is a blackish vertebral streak, and a dark lateral band with yellow edging. Orange to red is the general colour of the male on the under parts, prominently 21