Williams: Philippine Zoology. 335 



them from two to three miles up such watercourses, the latter flow- 

 ing into a large lake. One of these crustaceans was dug out of a 

 decayed log along a stream at an altitude of perhaps 700 feet on 

 Mount Maquiling. 



Tailless amphibians are numerous on Mount Maquiling, and may- 

 occur at a considerable distance from permanent water. A quite 

 large species with much of the general appearance of our tree toads 

 patronizes suitable vegetation, and is not averse, on occasions, to 

 visiting houses. Along the streams are large frogs which probably 

 do not equal our famous bullfrog {Rana catesbiana) in average 

 size. They are very neat and fearless divers, and take surprising 

 headers, from some well-chosen point, into the pool, many feet 

 below. 



Of lizards, skinks are the most noticeable, as they scurry away at 

 your approach and rustle among the leaves. They are fond of sun- 

 ning themselves along the sides of paths. Some are over a foot long 

 and rather stoutly made. Very small lizards, presumably young 

 skinks, are often plentiful in the forest. A species of Draco, or fly- 

 ing lizard, seems to occur chiefly in the lower portions of the forest. 

 Its parachuting power is secured through the extension of its ribs 

 beyond the body proper, so that a wide sailing surface can be pro- 

 duced. This expanded area is somewhat gaudily colored and visible 

 only when the lizard is in "flight," for when at rest the ribs are 

 pressed alongside the body. Then the skinny and harmless little 

 creature shows nothing of its aeronautic propensities. It is arboreal, 

 and sails from one tree to another in an easy descent, making a 

 graceful upsweeping landing. Despite such powers, these lizards do 

 not appear to wander far, as I have seen them patronizing the same 

 tree for months. 



Coming to grosser lizards, the monitor lizard {Varanus salvator 

 Laur.) is noticeable for its large size and noisy haste when alarmed. 

 It reaches a length of several feet and is pretty well at home in the 

 water, on land or up in a tree. It no doubt consumes a variety of 

 food and has quite a reputation as a chicken thief. 



While snakes are common here, they are not to be found on every 

 occasion, and large ones are somewhat of a rarity. Pythons {Python 

 reticulatus Schneid.) occur in this region, and several years ago two 

 soldiers shot a specimen about twenty-four feet long. Such exam- 

 ples are few and far between. 



Of birds, the red jungle fowl {Galium gallus Linnaeus) much like 



