TEIID LIZAltDS OF THE GEXUS CNEMIDOPHORUS 119 



"frequent open i^roiiiul wlicif the vegetation is scarcely enough to 

 impede tlieir running about. A suuill lizard can not run as last 

 as a large one. Avliich darts and bounds awa_y like an arrow. The 

 young remain in the open Avhen disturbed, after running for a few 

 yards, hide in their holes, or under stones, or if the worst comes to 

 the worst, tliey liide between a few blades of grass which, with its 

 strongly contrasting light and shades, conceals them sufficiently. 

 Tlie larger specimens dash away at a furious jiace, and make for 

 the nearest hedge, shrub or bush, which may be 50 yards off; there 

 they abide, not squatting, but in a semierect position with their eyes 

 upon the enemy, under the crisscross shadows, on the reddish-gray 

 ground and dry leaves." 



The spotted race runner is one of the swiftest of Texas lizards, 

 according to Strecker (1928. p. 4). It is very difficult to capture, 

 but "if one is willing to be ])atient and employ strategy, and not 

 attempt to cover too much territory in a short time, he can obtain a 

 good series without shooting them." Two miles .south of Lorena, 

 in McLennan County, a specimen darted into some green vegetation 

 at the side of a small ])ool when disturbed by the wilter, and when 

 pursued attempted to hide at the bottom of tlie pool itself. In 

 Eeagan County individuals were seen foraging in open spaces, but 

 quickly took cover when disturbed. As is characteristic of other 

 Cncmklophori, their foraging movement was uneven or jerky. 



"Hundreds of specimens were observed feeding" on the beach of 

 i.sabel Island, as reported liy Slevin (10-2(). p. 109). wlio foimd them 

 eating tlu^ many " insects gathered about an immense pile of dead 

 sharks left on the sand by ^Mexican tishermen." Strecker (1928, 

 p. 4) Avrote that •" It is interesting to observe their feeding habits. 

 They will crawl among aiul under dead leaves, minutely inspecting 

 every fold or inaequality in them in their search for ants and other 

 small insects. Large males have been known to attack small 

 specimens of other species of lizards and one was found with some 

 very young specimens of TIoThrool-ia fexana in its stomach." A 

 description of an individual digging in the sand for May beetles 

 Avas appended to this account, and it Avas also stated that in some 

 localities (jularls subsists chiefly on gras.shoppers. 



There is need for information ]XM'taining to the life history of this 

 lizard. Strecker (1908^/. p. 1G8) found that "the females usually 

 .scoop out a shallow holloAv in the sand and dejiosit their eggs to a 

 depth of only an inch or two. but on the gi-assy flats. Avhere there is 

 no sand, eggs have been found buried in the soft earth at the foot of 

 a mesquite tree, to a depth of 4 or 5 inches. The eggs of this species 

 are from 8 to 12 in number." 



