REPTILES OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 149 



head is just beginniug to appear around the ear-opening. 

 The lower surfaces are grayish white. 



Length to amis 52 64 81 81 84 96 



Length of tail 66 119 142 136 158* 



SuoTit to ear 10 12 15 15 15 19 



Snout to occipital plates 9 11 13 13 14 16 



Fore limb 12 17 20 21 20 25 



Hind limb 18 24 29 30 30 34 



Base of fifth to end of fourth toe 7 10 11 11 11 13 



Distribution. — The Red-headed Skink is known only 

 from the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, California. f 

 In the vicinity of the Yosemite Valley, it has been taken 

 on the floor of the Yosemite Valley, at Inspiration Point, 

 Yosemite Valley, at an altitude of about 4,500 feet on 

 the Yosemite road four miles from Wawona, and between 

 Groveland and Crocker's. Farther north it has been 

 found at Big Trees, Calaveras County, and at Sugar Loaf 

 (5,000 feet). El Dorado County. 



Habits. — This lizard is common in the mountains 

 near the Yosemite Valley and is well known to the 

 hotel keepers and ranch men. It is often seen in grass 

 and among rocks, retreating swiftly to holes under 

 stones and boulders when frightened. It seems to be 

 much more active than the Western Skink. Were it 

 not for the different position of the light stripes of the 

 young and the fact that this form seemingly does not 

 occur in most parts of the range of E. skiltonianus^ 

 Eumeces gilberti might be regarded as a color phase of 

 the Western Skink. 



*Eeproduced. 



tDr. Stejneger's " E. skiltonianus" from Kern River and Fort Tejon (N. A. Fauua, No. 

 7, 1893, p. 202) may, perhaps, belong here. 



