324 COMMON REPTILES OF AN INDIAN GARDEN 



surfaces of brilliant white. It is very easy to 

 capture specimens of them, but not at all so to 

 secure one in perfect condition, as they almost 

 always jerk off their tails in their efforts to escape. 

 Geckos are certainly brittle enough, judging from 

 the large numbers of them who are constantly to be 

 seen in various stages of repair, but they are tough 

 as compared to Mabuias, who seem to break up as 

 readily as sticks of sealing-wax do in cold weather. 

 Every large suburban garden containing a pond 

 and dense masses of shrubbery is almost sure to 

 be occasionally visited by specimens of the great 

 water-lizard, Varanus salvator. Owing to their 

 large size and aquatic habits, they are often 

 mistaken for young crocodiles, and, as they have 

 most voracious appetites and jaws to match them, 

 they are by no means welcome guests where fowls 

 are kept, or fish are preserved in ponds. Their 

 normal diet consists of frogs, toads, and fish, but 

 they are always ready to avail themselves of any 

 opportunity of varying it with birds, and have an 

 evil repute for a liking for young chickens. Whilst 

 on land they are repulsive and debased-looking 

 creatures, with dirt-coloured coats, and an awkwardly 

 waddling gait, which can, however, in emergencies 

 carry them over the ground with astonishing 

 rapidity. To appear to advantage they must be in 

 the water where they are quite at ease, swimming 

 at a great pace with their heads held well out of 



