40 f'niri rsity of California Publications in Zoology [Vol. 12 



gular spots of C. stejnegeri. A general survey of material of both 

 groups raises the question of possible intergradation. A study of 

 the habits and reaction to environment of each of these species ought 

 to be carried out before the question can be satisfactorily settled. In 

 a general survey of masses of material one feels that the effect of 

 the environment upon the individual has been great. 



This species is a ground-loving form. At Cabezon it was noted 

 frequently on the mesa among the cactus; at Snow Creek amid the 

 leaves under the cottonwoods or among the rocks. It seems to be able 

 to run through grass no matter how close set. At Banning and Dos 

 Palmos Spring several were caught during the day in unbaited mouse 

 traps in the sandy wash or in the brush. At Cabezon several were 

 caught in traps baited with oatmeal. The same was true in previous 

 collecting at Mecca, California, of lizards of this genus. Since unbaited 

 traps, as well as baited ones, seem to be effective, it is most probable 

 that the lizards were not eating oatmeal. Perhaps the odor of the 

 dried blood or flesh of animals previously caught in those traps 

 attracts either the lizards or the insects upon which the lizards feed, 

 or perhaps the novelty of the trap in the neighborhood attracts the 

 lizards. In escaping pursuit at Cabezon these lizards ran along the 

 ground and burrowed in the soft sand or crawled under cactus. At 

 Snow Creek they took refuge between or under the many rocks with- 

 out running along on the ground for any distance. 



Verticaria hyperythra beldingi Stejneger 

 Belding Orange-throat Lizard 



At Vallevista, 1800 feet, in a stubble field was taken no. 504. It 

 is small in size. 9.6 mm. in length, of which 6.6 mm. is tail. The tail 

 has the characteristic blue color of juvenals. On the outskirts of 

 the town of San Jacinto on the road to Beaumont, 1500 feet, no. *44 

 was found rustling among dead Cottonwood leaves. Another was seen 

 but not captured. 



At Reche Canon, near Colton. during the summer of 1908 several 

 were collected in such habitats as a sandy wash, on a hill sparsely 

 covered with vegetation, and in the dust by the roadside. Record 

 was made of two found in the act! of copulation on July 22. 



Eumeces skiltonianus (Baird and Girard) 

 Western Skink 

 One specimen of this species, no. 295, was secured several miles 

 above Schain's Ranch. 5300 feet. It is small, probably a juvenal. 



