external evidence of such. Some cannot be easily distinguished from
snakes. On close examination it will be seen that there is a ridge along
each side of the body.

The Keeled Lizard has a habit of keeping its tongue protruded and will
wipe its lips with it after feeding. Its tail is easily separated from
its body and when so separated, the broken off portion wriggles
violently. New tails grow on. It is found in California, Oregon,
Washington and eastward from California to Texas.

The "Glass-Snake" has no limbs and to the eye of anyone but a naturalist
would easily be mistaken for a snake. What distinguishes it from a snake
is the presence of eyelids and ear holes. It occurs in many localities.
It is common from the Carolinas to Florida and as far north as Illinois.
Like the Keeled Lizard it has the ability to shed a very lively,
wriggling tail. It feeds on worms and slugs that it finds by burrowing
and will occasionally break and eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds.

THE BEADED LIZARDS.

This is a family of large lizards whose bodies look as if covered with
beads. They are held to be poisonous by well-known authorities and are
the only poisonous lizards found in the states.

The Gila Monster (pronounced Hee-la) has a thick body with short limbs
and a short tail. In color it is pink and black. Its length is about a
foot and a half. It is found in New Mexico and Arizona and is named
after the river Gila, the valley of which it inhabits. The creature will
defend itself viciously and will hold on tenaciously with its strong
jaws. The eggs are buried in the sand.

XANTHUS LIZARDS.

Small lizards that are found where the tree yuccas grow.

THE RACE RUNNERS.

These are easily distinguished by the yellow stripes on their bodies.
They are to be found in the dry, sandy portions of the western states,
burrowing in the sand and when pursued taking refuge in these burrows.

THE WORM LIZARDS.

These are a low grade of lizards that live underground like worms. The
Worm Lizard, found in Florida, is scarcely any larger around than an
earthworm. It is able to move backward or forward in the earth, the end
of the tail being shaped similar to the head.

THE SKINKS.

This is a large family. They are burrowing lizards. The Red Headed
Lizard is widely distributed throughout the United States. It is very
timid and extremely difficult to capture. Its color changes with its
age. The Black Banded Skink is found in the