130 THE STORY OF EEPTILE LIFE. 



gullet, play the part of true teeth. By breaking 

 the egg far down the gullet, none of its precious 

 contents are wasted. 



The food of this species appears to consist 

 chiefly of birds' eggs. Though even when full- 

 grown and scarcely exceeding a length of two feet 

 and a half, it is quite able to swallow an ordinary 

 hen's egg. 



CHAPTER VI. 



DOMESTIC LIFE. 



DOMESTICITY is not a strong point with the 

 Reptile people. Amorous outbursts displayed 

 in the choice of mates, and here and there proofs 

 of some slight regard for their offspring, are all 

 that can at present be recorded in their favour 

 on this head. In all this they stand in strong 

 contrast to their poor but distant relations the 

 Frogs and Toads and their kind on the one hand, 

 and their aristocratic cousins the Birds on the 

 other. Indeed, in all that pertains to the 

 emotions of this character they are almost fish- 

 like. Laggards in love, they are still more 

 apathetic as parents. 



In so far as the affections are concerned, the 

 Eeptile is seen at its best, or worst, according to 

 the traditions of its tribe, when seeking a mate. 

 The advances appear always to be made by the 

 males, and to vary greatly in the way in which 

 they are made. Where rivals are many, some 

 endeavour to succeed by wiles and blandish- 



