British Reptiles and Amphibians 



It is occasionally surmised and recorded that there 

 are two varieties of the Sand Lizard indigenous to our 

 island. However, any small difference in character 

 arises simply from the local colouring. 



An outstanding feature of the Sand Lizard is its 

 love for burrowing in the loose soil it frequents. This 

 animal is seldom seen in dull weather, but under clear 

 skies and during sunny blinks it may be observed resting 

 on some open heath, or benty links. In such situations 

 it reproduces its kind, and there it sleeps its wintry 

 days away. Sand, sunshine, and silence suit the Sand 

 Lizard and its offspring. It feeds on almost all kinds 

 of insects, and itself affords a favourite meal for the 

 Smooth Snake, and perhaps other Snakes as well. 



It is an essential part of Nature's plan that one 

 creature must give up its life to sustain another. The 

 tender grass blade, the acorn lying in the plantation, 

 the root-crop afield, all mature for the benefit of the 

 creatures around. As the Rabbit sits nibbling the 

 tender shoot of a wheat-ear, the Stoat leaps from 

 the furrow, and a brief struggle yields the Stoat 

 a meal. The Reed Bunting is singing upon a bare 

 arm of a dead larch, when the Sparrow Hawk sails 

 down the field border. A swoop, and then the Hawk 

 dines upon the little carcass by the tree-stem ; a few 

 feathers flutter in the summer breeze, and as you pass 

 you note these as silent witnesses of a tragedy. Such 

 dramas are ever being enacted mid the vegetation 

 growing on bank and field, in sea, pond and stream. 



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