CHAPTER IV. 



THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF REPTILES. 



""THE photography of reptiles 

 by stalking is practically 

 impossible. We are not here 

 confronted by the difficulty 

 experienced with the mamma- 

 lia, that of invisibility during 



Common Newt. 



the daytime, for the majority 



of British reptiles (and there are only thirteen recognised 

 species) rejoice in the sunshine. The difficulty arises 

 from (i) their small size and (2) their shyness in the wild 

 state. The latter feature is not a surprising one when 

 we consider the life of, say, the common frog. There 

 are few creatures who give more hostages to fortune, 

 and there are, as a natural corollary, few who are more 

 liable to perish ere their prime. It is the sad penalty 

 of being succulent. 



Lizards and snakes have, in addition to their 

 natural enemies, the hand of man and boy against them. 

 Newts pass the time they spend ashore in the strictest 

 seclusion. Toads are nocturnal, and so we finish the 

 list. 



Yet despite this natural, and justified, timidity, 

 there are no British fauna who are more easily tamed 



