56 NATURES STORY OF THE YEAR 



is a sign of a low organisation ; but my lizards 

 were intelligent enough to distinguish me from 

 other people, and to recognise a signal announcing 

 food at the door of the cage. 



Though the lizard in confinement becomes a 

 charming pet, yet, since he requires living prey, 



HIS NOONTIDE SIESTA. 



which cannot always be easily obtained, the better 

 course is to soon restore him to the native haunt, 

 where he may bask and doze through the bright 

 hours, ramble about the mouse paths, and finally, 

 after perhaps a decade, yield up his life to the 

 snake, the hawk, or in chill weather to the mole, 



