1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 351 



this lizard is common in Idaho, and observes that it probably 

 occurs the whole length of the Great Basin. 



The relative abundance of rock lizards at Big Creek Ranch 

 is easily accounted for by the presence of rocky ridges. The 

 buttes at Quinn River Crossing upon which three specimens were 

 captured rise up only slightly above the level of the plain. At 

 Big Creek Ranch a Sceloporus of this species was caught in a 

 mouse trap set in one of the ranch buildings. We found rock 

 lizards invading the mountains to a height of a little more than 

 5000 feet. They apparently do not range so high in northern 

 as in southern Nevada (see Stejneger, 1893, p. 184). 



Habits. — The vast majority of the individuals observed were 

 seen on rocks and boulders at an average altitude of about 4600 

 feet. Rock lizards at times apparently take advantage of rocks 

 upon which excrement of birds is found. The fecal matter 

 attracts flies and gnats which may serve as food to the lizards. 



A great many of the specimens captured had lost parts of 

 their tails and presented caudal stubs in various stages of regen- 

 eration. 



Several females secured June 11 contained developing eggs. 



The coloration of these lizards blended remarkably with that 

 of the rocks upon which they were found, and made them ex- 

 ceedingly hard to discern except when they were in motion. 



Phrynosoma platyrhinos Girard 

 Desert Horned Lizard 



Distribution. — Most of the specimens taken w^re secured in 

 the vicinity of Big Creek Ranch, that is, about the foothills of 

 the Pine Forest Mountains, and on the nearby desert. Twenty- 

 five specimens were preserved at this locality. Others Avere taken 

 as follows : Quinn River Crossing, 3 ; Leonard Creek, 4 ; Thou- 

 sand Creek Basin, 5 ; Amos, 1 ; Alder Creek, 1. 



As is shown by the large proportion of horned lizards from 

 Big Creek Ranch, the species was more numerous near the foot- 

 hills than away from them on the open desert. They ranged 

 fairly commonly to 5000 feet altitude, both in the canon and on 

 ridges of the foothills. 



