NO. 2224. 



NOTES ON HAWAIIAN LIZARDS— SNYDER. 25 



Examples from Waimea, Kauai, belong to the first type. In some 

 of these a median band which covers the adjoining halves of two rows 

 of scales is sharply outlined to the base of the tail, while m others it 

 grows indistinct and blends with the lateral bands near the middle of 

 the body. The lateral bands vary, as does the median one, occa- 

 sionally fusing with the latter not far behind the shoulders, but always 

 remaining distinct on the head and neck. There is no light band on 

 the side, extending between the front and hind legs. In life the hght 

 bands are brassy, and many scales on the sides have a metaUic sheen. 

 The tail is not blue, but becomes so on immersion in alcohol. 



The second type is represented by specimens from Hanalei Valley, 

 Kauai, and from Wailuku Valley, Maui. In one individual three 

 lio-ht bands are present. The median one, which covers two rows of 

 scales, is well separated from the others, and extends from the occiput 

 to near the base of the tail. Lateral bands extend from the eye to 

 the same point posteriorly. In others the bands are more or less 

 completely fused, forming a broad, Ught-colored area. All agree in 

 being much darker, both on the dorsal and ventral surfaces, than 

 those of the first type, the brassy bands being much duller and con- 

 trasting less strongly with the darker portions. In these also the 

 bands have a metalUc sheen in life and the tails are not blue. 



An examination of this material seems to show that the color 

 variation is not due to age or sex. It is worth mentioning that 

 those of the first type were found in a relatively dry region where 

 lantana and prickley pears flourish, while the others were taken at a 

 high altitude from the moist ground beneath masses of ferns, in dense 

 thickets of tropical vegetation. 



Waimea and Hanalei Valley, Kauai; Wailuku River, Maui. 



ABLEPHARUS POECILOPLEURUS (Wiegmann). 



Unlike Emoia cyanura, this species appears to be confined to the 

 dryer regions of low altitudes, and is not seen in the moist valleys of 

 the mountains. 



Of 10 adult specimens found on Laysan Island none possessed a 

 perfect tail. They had suffered amputations at various times, one 

 individual having a third growth. Lizards' tails are not mentioned 

 in papers dealing with the food of birds, the probable enemies of 

 Laysan skinks. 



Puako Bay and Waimea, Hawaii; Laysan Island. 



