Maghew 1947 May 10 Ensatina eschscholtzii (Red Salamander) Wildcat canyon, Contra Costa Co., Calif. One specimen was found trying to escape into a burrow in the damp soil just above the edge of a small stream just south of Tilden Park golf course club house. It was very active in its attempt to escape. The burrow was covered by two rocks. The animal was dark on the back, red on the sides & belly. When the animal is stimulated, a milky secretion is given off all along the tail which is supposedly poisonous. The drier the milky substance gets, the stickier it becomes. When he is irritated, he stands high on his legs, & occasionally flips its tail at the stimulus. When thrown into the water, it swam with the posterior part of the body & the tail - not by the feet. The upper iris is silvery in color, whereas the lower part of the iris is dark brown.