J^EPTILES 197 



8. Uta Baird & Girard. Swifts. Small, flattened, active lizards 

 with small scales; ear distinct; collar present; tail longer than the body: 

 about 24 species in the southwestern United States and Mexico. 



Key to the Species of Uta in the United States 



ai Scales on the back uniform, not abruptly larger than those on 

 the sides (Fig. 103). 



bi Scales on the back very small, perfectly smooth U. mearnsi. 



b2 Scales on the back larger and more or less sharply keeled U. stanshuriana 



ao Scales on the back enlarged, sharply distinct from the smaller 

 lateral scales (Fig. 104). 

 bi Tail very long, more than twice the length of the head and 

 body; usually without a median dorsal row of small 



scales U. graciosa. 



hi Tail shorter; i or 2 rows of small scales on the middorsal 

 line, between the rows of enlarged scales. 



Ci Lateral caudal scales small and smooth U . levis. 



c-2 Lateral caudal scales larger and more sharply keeled. U . ornata. 



U. mearnsi Stejneger. Size large; length 230 mm.; tail 150 mm.: 

 western border of the Colorado desert, in rocky situations. 



Fig. 103. — Femoral pores on hind leg and scales of back of Uta stansbiiriana: i, femoral 



pores (from Cope). 



U. stanshuriana B. & G. (Fig. 103). Length 120 mm.; tail 60 mm.; 

 color dark green or gray, with rows of small Hght and dark blotches on 

 the back which are surrounded by scattered bluish dots: western Texas 

 to Cahfornia; northward into Utah, Idaho and Oregon; very common in 

 deserts. 



Subspecies of U. stanshuriana 



U. s. stanshuriana B. & G. In northerly portion of range. 



U. s. siejnegeri Schmidt. In the central portion of the range. 



U. s. hesperis Richardson. In the western portion of the range. 



U. graciosa (Hallowell). Length 200 mm.; tail 140 mm.; color gray 

 or reddish, with a series of dark, wavy cross bars oh each side : southern 

 California, Arizona and Nevada; Hves in small trees and bushes. 



