Alligator Lizards 11 
the head and neck, viewing the object from different angles. 
When within striking distance it extends both hind legs forward 
along the sides of the body, braces the hind feet against the 
ground and then catches the desired object with a sudden for- 
capture of their prey than do those foraging under natural con- 
ditions. 
Stomachs of ten specimens taken at Dark Hollow, Jackson 
County, Oregon, during August contained 12 beetles of various 
Sizes, a cicada, a wasp, a cutworm, a small hairy caterpillar, 
20 grasshoppers, and a spider. Stomachs of four taken during 
July at Mill Creek, Wasco County, Oregon, contained 28 beetles 
(2 Calosoma calidum, 7 Eleodes, 19 undetermined), a grass- 
hopper, and a scorpion (Vejovis). Stomachs of two from 
Spencer’s Butte, Lane County, Oregon, contained 2 grasshoppers, 
a termite (Reticulitermes), and a snai ; one taken 5 miles south 
of Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon, had eaten a beetle grub, 
a small beetle, a grasshopper, and a spider. One taken at Little 
Applegate River, Jackson County, Oregon, was feeding upon 
army worms. 
Small skinks (Eumeces) and fence lizards (Sceloporus) were 
eaten by captive individuals whenever they were offered. They 
were usually caught by the back of the neck, crushed, and 
swallowed head first. On one occasion a half-grown fence liz- 
ard was chased about the cage persistently and finally was caught 
by the tail. As the alligator lizard began to work its jaws for- 
ward the tail parted. The larger lizard’s attention was not at 
all diverted by the squirming tail, for although this was chewed 
and swallowed, it meanwhile continued to pursue the fence liz- 
ard, lunging clumsily at it and finally catching it by a hind leg. 
It then gradually worked its jaws forward on the body of the 
smaller lizard, engulfing it tail end first. 
A small frog (Rana boylii) was placed in the cage. When 
it moved, one lizard stalked it and bit it on the side but released 
A scorpion was dropped in front of a captive individual. 
At first the alligator lizard seemed not to notice it but, after a_ 
moment, approached, although it had not moved, stood over it a ee 
