314 3. IGUANID& 



removed. This black color is not only acquired when the 

 lizard is upon black rocks but also when it is on red or brown 

 rocks. 



"On warm days the lizards, after they appear in the morn- 

 ing, are quite common everywhere over the rocks until the 

 hottest part of the day, when they retire to the shaded side. 

 The food in the stomachs examined consists entirely of in- 

 sects. Large females taken on and before July 12 contain 

 large eggs apparently about ready to be laid, while those 

 collected on July 22 had deposited their eggs. The first 

 young were observed on August 14. On the latter date 

 several young ones which could have been but a few days 

 old were found among the rocks in Moleen Canyon. The 

 one measures 55 mm. in total length and 25.5 mm. exclu- 

 sive of the tail. They ran about over the ground and small 

 rocks at the base of the cliff and were very agile and shy, 

 quickly seeking concealment under loose stones when 

 alarmed." 



Richardson says "Two females taken on May 24 at Reno, 

 Nevada, held seven and ten large eggs, respectively. Onq 

 taken at Tallac, June 17, also contained eggs. 



"A young male shot at Reno May 24 had green aphids, 

 three or four large ants, and other unidentified insect frag- 

 ments in its stomach. 



"Along the southwest shore of Pyramid Lake it was often 

 found accompanied by S. magister. Here and at Derby 

 many dark-colored individuals basked on rocks in the sun. 

 Some were almost pure black and conspicuous for a consider- 

 able distance. This color vanishes so rapidly after death 

 that dark-colored individuals will assume the normal gray- 

 brown tint in less than three hours." 



Miss Atsatt reports that at Cabazon, Riverside County, 

 California, on May 7, a female was taken which contained 

 an egg, yellow in color and irregularly ovate in shape. Most 



