158 



MR. A. LOVERIDGE ON 



two eggs in ovary ; four of tliese batches were in an early stage of 

 development and almost round, measuring 5 mm., 5 mm., 9 mm., 

 and 11 mm. in diameter; in the fifth were developing embryos, 

 which measured 11x6 mm., and were oval in shape. 



Sea-slaters 10 mm. in length were found in the stomach of a 

 102-mm. specimen ; sandhoppers 9 mm. in length in the stomach 

 of a 107-mm. specimen. It seemed extraordinary that the lizards 

 could swallow such large prey. Flies were found in the stomachs 

 of a good many. 



Tapeworm measuring 32 mm. in length was found along with 

 the sea-slaters in the stomacli of the 102-mm. specimen just 

 referred to. 



Ablepharus wahlbergii (Smith). 

 Blgr. Oat. Liz. iii. 1887, p. 350. 



Eighty specimens were collected at Nairobi, Longido West, 

 Morogoro, Mkuyuni, and Lumbo. The largest male w^as from 

 the last locality, measuring 4 inches (40-59 mm.), though another 

 specimen with renewed tail measured 2 mm. longer in the body. 

 Largest female was from Mkuyuni and measured 4| inches 

 (43-67 mm.). 



The coloration of Lumbo specimens was as follows : — " Pale 

 copper above, reddish tinge on tail. Dark copper band commen- 

 cing at nostril, passes through eye, above fore-legs, and alongside 

 to hind-legs, wdiei'e it disappears. A few irregular white lines in 

 region of ear originating in white upper labials. Belly and under- 

 side of tail a transparent brick-red." This i-eddish appearance 

 of tail was only seen in specimens collected after the middle of 

 September ; it may be a sign of the breeding-season or again 

 of locality, for most of the specimens collected l>etween July and 

 September were collected at a different spot. The Nairobi and 

 Morogoi'O specimens were much darker in colour, bronze i-ather 

 than copper. 



The species frequents grassy places, particularly where there is 

 much garbage or fallen leaves. They apparently prefer moist 

 spots beneath trees ; large numbers were discovered in uprooting 

 stumps and clearing the ground for making camps. 



Two females collected in October 1918 at Lumbo had each 

 two eggs measuring 6x2 mm. in ovaries. Two females collected 

 at Mkuyuni (l.ix. 16) and Morogoro (l.ii. 18) had each six eggs 

 measuring 7x4 mm. and 9x5 mm. respective]3\ 



Principal food was white aiits ; a liy, beetle larva, and field 

 cockroa.ch were also taken from the stomachs of specimens. 



A specimen caught at Handeni (27.vi. 16, lost in transit) by 

 the neck whirled its tail round very rapidly, and then making 

 it suddenly rigid, caused it to break off"; the tail exhibited con- 

 siderable vitality, wriggling and jumping about for some time. 



One of these lizards was found in the stomacli of an Egret 

 {Biihidculus ibis) at Morogoro (14. xii. 17) ; as already mentioned, 



