Zoo Notes 
scream, and all kept clam- 
bering and dragging them- 
selves about from bough 
to bough, either hunting 
or being hunted, and from 
what we saw I am sure 
that nine-tenths of all 
hatched in that colony ~~ 
came to an untimely end = 
before they could fly.” rs 
Se bas 
illustrated on 
the preceding 
page are na- 
tives of the 
swamp-land of Burma, and have no near 
affinity to the red deer of Hurope, which 
is shown in the third photograph. 
D> 
ANOTHER African hzard, from the south, is 
the Bristly Lizard, belonging 
to the genus Agama. When 
this reptile first arrived at the 
Zoo it was very brilliant im colour, and the 
symmetry of its markings and the glistening 
of its shiny skin gave it more the appear- 
ance of a freshly-lacquered bronze than a 
living thing. Beimg quite harmless they 
can be handled with impunity, and when 
placed in a position they remain there 
perfectly still until, without any apparent 
cause, they spring away in a remarkably 
Ton Deer 
Thamin 
Deer. 
Bristly 
Lizard. 
SPINY-TAILED 
MASTIGAN. 
13 
HISPID LIZARD. 
rapid manner, which gives one quite a start. 
Vy / 
THERE are about seven species of Spiny- 
tailed Lizards—called by some 
“'Thorny-tailed °—all of which 
inhabit the parched-up land of 
north Africa and south-west Asia, the species 
photographed being typical of the former 
continent. It will be noticed that the body is 
much depressed and there is no crest alone 
the back; also that the head is extremely 
short and rounded in comparison with other 
Agamide. Vhe coloration of these lizards is no 
doubt protective, resembling the sombre colour 
of the desert regions they frequent. Their 
diet is exclusively of a vegetable character, 
and their flesh is said to be excellent as a 
table delicacy; at 
all events the Arabs 
are very partial to 
it. In the small 
vivarium in which 
they are held cap- 
tive they appear 
sluggish and slow 
in their movements, 
but outside, when 
exposed to a warm 
_ sun, they are very 
active and can run 
with great speed. 
Spiny -tailed 
Lizards. 
