HUNTING LIZARDS 199 



the noose is out of the question. It is a question of 

 the one making the fastest time — the snake in rush- 

 ing to a place of security, or the collector in reaching 

 the snake. If the collector wins, a quick grab is in 

 order, which is usually followed by a burst of indig- 

 nant protest on the reptile's part. To get the rep- 

 tile by the neck before receiving a bite requires some 

 skill ; but in the case of a harmless snake little cau- 

 tion is necessary, and the prize is soon in a bag. In- 

 cidentally it may be said that poisonous snakes do 

 not run, and their capture involves pinning down the 

 head and grasping them by the neck. This sounds 

 easy, and in fact it is easy for one who understands 

 it, but the writer would entreat the novice to think 

 twice before coming within striking distance of a 

 poisonous snake. 



Most elusive of capture are the lizards. In sum- 

 mer it is practically impossible to obtain many of the 

 species. The movements of many sj^ecies are so rapid 

 that the eye can scarcely follow them. Fallen trees, 

 exposed to the morning sun, are the favorite congre- 

 gating places of many lizards, and here they perform 

 their antics until disturbed, when they disappear like 

 magic into crevices of the bark or into the surround- 

 ing vegetation, where their bright eyes watch care- 

 fully for succeeding events. By stealthily approach- 

 ing their haunts, and upon locating a specimen, stalk- 

 ing it with outstretched hand, it may be sometimes 

 seized, providing the movements of the collector are 

 lio^litnino-like in character. Generallv, however, the 



Cj O »■■■ -' ^ 



collector is left ruefully examining a wriggling tail, 

 15 



