1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 353 



this lizard recorded is the vicinity of Reno. It ranges (Van 

 Denburgh, 1897, p. 136) into southern Idaho and western Utah, 

 however, so would be expected to occur generally in the northern 

 part of the Great Basin. 



Habits. — The desert whip-tailed lizard was found alike on 

 the sides of dry washes and on the open flat desert in the vicinity 

 of the foothills. It ranged in small numbers to an altitude of 

 5000 feet on the low ridges, and a short distance up Big Creek 

 Canon. A single specimen was taken in the vicinity of the forks 

 of Big Creek (5700 feet). 



If surprised, Cnemidophorus runs with great speed, holding 

 its long tail erect in air something in the manner of Callisaurus 

 ventralis. When at ease it progresses more slowly, dragging 

 itself along on its belly and waddling from side to side. This 

 has been described (J. and H. W. Grinnell, 1907, p. 35) as being 

 a peculiar slinking, hesitating gait. They run a short distance 

 very swiftly, then creep along in a jerky fashion, bobbing the 

 head up and down. When at some distance from the intruder 

 they remain motionless, eyeing him. 



Sometimes as many as twenty individuals were seen in the 

 course of a morning's hunt. 



Their long narrow bodies and extremely agile movements 

 combine to make noosing them (see J. and H. W. Grinnell, 1907, 

 p. 7) almost an impossibility. 



They were seen in copulation on June 10, and pairs were 

 commonly seen after this date. On June 21 one was seen pur- 

 suing another, but whether this was for purposes of play or was 

 an exhibition of sexual instinct is not known. 



Bascanion taeniatum (Hallowell) 



Striped Racer 



Distribution. — Four specimens of this widely distributed 

 form (see Stejneger, 1893, p. 210) secured, localities being as 

 follows: Quinn River Crossing (4100 feet), 2 (taken on the 

 open desert several miles from any mountains) ; Big Creek (5000 

 feet), 1; and Leonard Creek (4700 feet), 1. 



The species has been recorded from Antelope Springs and 



