218 MK. W. A. LAMBOKN ON THE 



Pigs. 



IC. Notes on the Habits of Certain Reptiles in the Lagos 

 District. By W. A. Lamborn, M.ll.O.S.* 



[Received November 25, 1912 : Read February 18, 1913.] 



Index. 



Page 



Agama colonorum 218 



African Crocodiles 222 



I, Ou the Habits of the Lizard Agama colonorum, Daudin, and 

 on Native jStcperstition in regard to the Chameleon. 



For some two years I have devoted spare time in Nigeria 

 to the pursuit of Entomology, and one of the questions in which 

 I have interested myself lias been as to the palatability of 

 Lepidoptera. 



To test this various animals have been employed, and one which 

 has been of great service to me is the common West African 

 lizard Agama colonm'um. This is by far the most abundant 

 lizard in the district — a camp called Oni on the bank of a fresli- 

 water lagoon 70 miles east of Lagos and 10 miles from the sea, 

 and so I have had ample opportunities of making observations as 

 to its habits. 



I must express my grateful thanks to Mr. G. A. Boulenger, 

 F.R.S., for advice and for his kind help in identifying the species 

 of the lizards by means of the specimens in the Natural History 

 Museum. 



Agamas are found on high ground only, such as is always 

 ahove flood-level, and in open spaces, and thej^ group together in 

 communities consisting of six or seven adult females headed by a 

 male. I am strongly of oj)inion that these females look to one 

 lord and master only, and that every such family is to be found 

 day after day in one particular locality. Tliis f)oint might, of 



* Conimuuicated by Prof. E. B. Poulton, F.R.S., F.Z.S. 



