Page:Natural History, Reptiles.djvu/133

Rh the few reptiles found in Ireland. On the continent its range does not appear to be very extensive: it is not found in Italy, nor, I believe, in France, and is very probably confined in a great measure to our own latitude. Its movements are beautifully gracile as well as rapid;

it comes out of its hiding-place during the warm parts of the day from the early spring till autumn has far advanced, basking in the sun; and turning its head with a sudden motion the instant that an insect comes within its view, and darting like lightning upon its prey, it seizes it with its little sharp teeth and speedily swallows