COMMON LIZARD 



in North Devon. For a mile or more specimens of this 

 active little species were in almost constant view, in 

 several instances little companies of half a dozen or so 

 being happily gathered together. It was mid-August, 

 and the reptiles were represented in various sizes. The 

 specific name of Vivipara is somewhat misleading as, 

 although this species does bring forth living young, it 

 also deposits unhatched eggs. In the latter case the egg- 

 membrane is burst soon after extrusion, but this is not 

 invariably so, as I have known a group of eggs (they 

 number from 6 to 12) to be some time before the young 

 emerged, and instances have also come under my observa- 

 tion where the eggs have 7iot hatched, being apparently 

 infertile. The small black-coloured young scamper 

 about directly they are born, and after a few days learn 

 to obtain their own Uving. Insects of various kinds go 

 to make up the food, and these are captured with much 

 dexterity and cunning. As with other members of the 

 Order Reptilta, the colour-variation in Lacerta vivipara 

 is a distinctive feature, and it may here be stated that the 

 factors governing this colour-variation may, according to 

 Professor Gerald Leighton, be given thus : Age, Climate, 

 Food, Heredity, Light, LocaHty, Moisture, Sex, or 

 Temperature. Gadow mentions that the general colour 

 of our present species is brown or reddish above, spotted 

 with darker and Hghter colour. In many individuals 

 there is a blackish vertebral streak, and a dark lateral 

 band with yellow edging. Orange to red is the general 



colour of the male on the under parts, prominently 



21 



