NOTES ON THE LIZAllDS OF THE C HANNEL 



ISLANDS. 



BY JOSEPH 8INEL. 



Of the true lizards {Lacertce.) only two species occur in 

 the Channel Islands, viz., Zt«ccri^(» r//7V//.s- and Lacerta muralis*. 

 The former species is abundant in Jersey, and fairly well 

 represented in Guernsey ; the latter is found in Jersey only, 

 and is confined to the eastern portion of the north coast, from 

 Bouley Bay to St. Catherine's, not extending more than 

 a hundred yards or so inland. Neither the Viviparous Lizard 

 {^Zootica vivrpara) nor the Sand Lizard (^Lacerta agilis) which 

 are so common on the Continent and in England, are found in 

 the Channel Islands, but that outlying member of the 

 LacertinidcE, the Slow-worm or Blind-worm {Anyids fragllis) 

 is common in Jersey and Guernsey, and also occurs in 

 Alderney, Herm and Jethou. 



The most important and striking of the group as 

 represented in these islands is tlie large and beautiful 

 Green Lizard {Lacerta viriclis) ; and it is the result of 

 several years' fairly close study and observation of this species 

 Avhich forms the substance of the present paper. 



Although the Lacerta, viriclis of the Channel Islands 

 is specifically identical with that of the continent, it shows 

 well-marked characters of its own. Even the comparison of 

 a local specimen with a coloured figure in some good standard 

 book will at once make this evident. I have had opportunity 

 of comparing Jersey specimens with a considerable number 

 brought over from Germany and from Italy, and I think 

 it would not be difficult for me to pick out with fair certainty 

 all the local examples out of a mixed lot. 



The continental form is altogether more uniform in 

 coloration ; the fine black and gold speckling of the adult 

 males being much less marked and striking, as well as the 

 white or cream-coloured lines of the half-groAvn specimens, and 



*Ansted. in his " Channel Islands," gives L. agilis as occurring in Jersey, no 

 doubt mistaking L. muralis for that species. 



