566 



The Living Animals of the World 



colour of these wing-like structures 

 varies among the many different 

 specific forms, being in some instances 

 spotted or reticulated like those of a 

 butterfly. 



This same family of the Agamoid 

 Lizards includes a number of species 

 of very dissimilar aspect and habits, 

 which are almost exclusively confined 

 to the Old World or Oriental zoological 

 region. Australia in particular is 

 remarkably rich in representatives of 

 this group, many of them of con- 

 siderable size. Certain of these have 

 within recent years been found to 

 be endowed with the power of bipedal 

 locomotion. The FKILLED LIZARD 

 of Queensland and the northern 

 territories of Western Australia was 

 the first species in which this bipedal 

 habit was authentically demonstrated 

 in connection with examples observed 

 in Australia and also brought to 

 England by the writer, one of the 

 last-named examples furnishing the 

 photographs reproduced on page 567. 

 In other respects this lizard is one of 

 the most remarkable of its tribe. 

 The peculiar Elizabethan collar-like 

 frill, capable of erection or depression 

 at the creature's will, imparts to it 

 a most singular appearance. When 

 at rest or undisturbed, this mem- 

 branous frill-like structure is folded 

 down in neat, symmetrical pleats 

 around the lizard's neck. Should the 

 creature be approached by man or 

 dog or other aggressive animal, the mouth springs open to its widest, and simultaneously with 

 this action the frill is erected like the sudden opening of an umbrella, and stands out at right 

 angles around the neck, imparting to it a most formidable and threatening aspect. Dogs, in 

 fact, which will habitually chase and kill larger lizards, such as the Monitors, will frequently 

 halt and retire discomfited when confronted with a frilled lizard at bay with its frill erected. 

 The brilliant colour of this frill, more especially in the male, adds very considerably to the 

 formidable appearance of this lizard. While the body of this lizard is usually of a light 

 brown colour, with more or less distinct darker transverse bars and reticulations, the frill-like 

 membrane has a ground-colour in which orange and chrome-yellow chiefly predominate, and 

 upon which are superimposed splashings and speckles of brilliant scarlet. While the total 

 length of this averages 2 feet, the expanded frill in adult males is not infrequently as 

 much as 8 or 9 inches in diameter. The peculiar, grotesquely human aspect presented 

 by the frilled lizard when running on its hind legs only will be appreciated on reference 

 to the accompanying photographs. This erect attitude is only assumed when the frilled 

 lizard is traversing more or less considerable distances and moving on level ground. Under 



[Milford-on-Sea. 



FLYING-DRAGON OF JAVA. 



A lizard with wing-like membranes supported by the abnormally developed ribs. 

 It takes long flights from tree to tree. 



