'IRAQ AND THE PERSIAN GULF' [‎146r] (296/862)

FAUNA
203
imperial sandgrouse is generally distributed but nowhere abundant; it
departs in the spring to breed on the Persian plateau. The last species
is the close-barred sandgrouse, but it is rare or very local. In the hilly
country the see-see, a miniature partridge-like game-biid, is fairly
common, and where there is thick scrub or cultivation the black
partridge, or francolin, abounds. The quail is often seen on passage in
spring and autumn.
Snakes, Lizards, &c.
In the Tigris and Euphrates there is a large soft-shelled tortoise
(Trionyx euphraticus) which spends its life in the water and is con
fined to these rivers. About Basra and elsewhere the Caspian water-
tortoise (Clemmys caspia) is abundant and easily distinguished from
the former by its hard shell.
Wherever there is water the tessellated water-snake (Matrix tessel-
latus) is sure to be found, and on warm days may be seen in shallow
water. In the palm-groves two kinds of racers (Zamenis gemonensis
and Z. dahhi) are common. The former is very similar to the Euro
pean racer, can readily climb trees, and preys on other snakes and
lizards. One species, the Caucasian cat-snake (Tarbophis iberus),
suffers much in this respect, and so too, do the skinks—small glossy
brown or greyish lizards with two dark bands down the back.
In cultivated areas the sand-boa (Eryx jaculus) is not infrequent
near villages. It lies in wait buried in the earth and on the approach of
any kind of small animal or bird seizes it in its mouth and kills it like
a python. Because of the similarity between the head and tail this
snake is reputed to be double-headed. The curious spiny-tailed lizard
(Uromastix microlepis) can be recognized by the whorls of spiny scales
on the tail; the body is about 2 feet long, the tail about 8 inches. It is
a vegetable feeder and makes a burrow from which it does not emerge
until the sun is well up.
Both in the open and among bushes more than one kind of agama is
likely to be seen basking in the sun; they are rather dull-coloured
lizards with strongly keeled scales which give them a rough appear
ance. In the breeding season some assume a brighter dress. In the
desert a small spotted lizard (Phrynocephalus maculatus) is coloured
like the surrounding sand; when frightened it flattens itself out and is
very difficult to see. The drier parts and deserts are also the haunts of
Gray’s racer (Zamenis ventrimaculatus) and of Clifford’s snake (Z.
diadenia) which is pale buff with dark spots. Moila’s snake (Coelopeltis
moilensis) also occurs and is likewise of a pale buff with the skin