192 GUIDEBOOK OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES 
in large colonies in the sandy areas, but they are nocturnal, and most 
of their associates have the same habit. Coyotes, foxes, and bobcats 
frequent many localities. Various lizards and the bold little horn 
toad (Phrynosoma platyrhinos) are abundant, and in places there are 
rattlesnakes (see pl. 23, A), including the variety known as the “‘side- 
winder’’ (Crotalus cerastes), a name referring to his sidelong motion 
both in locomotion.and attack. The rare tiger rattler lives in the 
rocks in out-of-the-way places, and the Sonoran coral snake (Hlaps 
euryranthus) is occasionally found. The Gila monster (Heloderma sus- 
pectum) (see pl. 23, B), a clumsy black and pink lizard a foot or more 
in length, is of frequent occurrence in southwestern Arizona from the 
San Pedro River to the Colorado. He carries poison about the teeth in 
his lower jaw, and his bite is fatal to small animals. The larger lizard 
known as chuckwalla(S lus ater) near the Colorado River, 
and the Indians find him as palatable as chicken. Jack rabbits and 
w. E. cottontailrabbits are 
plentiful, especially 
in the vicinity of the 
arroyos, and there 
c= remain a few of the 
Hori tal: | ; “ 
ee Mg epg rare antelope jack 
Jt L 
Vertical scale 
° 
asses eee ES oot a 
ee rabbits, a taller,more 
Figure 48.—Section at Picacho de la Calera, 16 miles northwest of Tuc- slender specks than 
son, Ariz. €a, Cambrian quartzite; €a, Abrigo limestone; Dm, Mar- the commonone. A 
tin limestone; Ce, Carboniferous limestone; d, dike few antelopes, deer, 
wild sheep, and lions remain in the mountains; formerly these animals 
were abundant, especially the antelope, but vigorous hunting has greatly 
reduced their number. The tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) roams over 
some of the desert areas, and his empty shell is a common sight. The 
average size is 8 to 10 inches. These tortoises are usually found far 
from water holes and evidently are not dependent on water. This is 
true also of the other desert animals, which obtain from plants the 
small amount of water that they need. Experiments made with 
desert mice appeared to prove that they will not drink water at all. 
Quail are abundant in most seasons, and doves thrive in the irrigated 
areas and near water holes. Cranes and similar birds are found along 
the rivers, and crows and buzzards congregate rapidly when food is in 
sight. The road runner (Eolaptes chrysoides mearnsi) is frequently 
seen. Tt eats rats, birds’ eggs, and snakes. It runs very fast and» 
stops quickly, using the long tail as a brake. Tarantulas (large hairy 
spiders), centipedes, and scorpions occur in many places; though their 
bites or stings are painful and probably somewhat poisonous, they 
appear not to be fatal. 
oS The Tucson Mountains, west of Tucson, are the Frente Negra, oT 
_ Black Face Mountains, of Garcés. The range is of moderate height 
