The Southern Toad 



We also find the toad's song one of the most beautiful sounds 

 in nature. The effect of a " chorus " of toads is most harmonious 

 indeed a crooning sound that seems a fit companion for amorous 

 spring air, bursting flower buds, and the feeling of new life in our 

 own hearts. 



THE SOUTHERN TOAD 



Bufo lentiginosus Shaw 



IDENTIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS 



Colour: Variable, often bright red-brown, with or without 

 darker spots, a light vertebral stripe or a broader light band on the 

 sides. The male may be nearly black. The young toads (one to 

 three years old) may show much bright orange in the colouration. 

 (For one phase of colouration, see Colour Plate IV.) 



Measurements: Size of Bufo americanus, i.e. male 2^ to 3 

 inches; female much larger. Head relatively long, its length 

 contained only 3^ to 4 times in total length. (Fig. 64.) 



Structure: Parotoid glands relatively small and narrow. Crests 

 of the head remarkably conspicuous, because of the elevation, 

 posteriorly, of the divergent straight crests which lie on top of the 

 head between the eyes. These are not only greatly elevated, but 

 also are swollen into large knobs at their ends. Meeting each of 

 these ridges just in front of the knob and behind the eye is a second 

 ridge, which extends at right angles to the first downward to a 

 point above the ear. A third ridge on each side passes backward 

 from this point to the parotoid gland. (See Figs. 64 to 67, and 

 compare with Figs. 48, 70, and 84.) 



Range: The Southern States east of Texas. 



This Southern toad, which is so like the American toad, its 

 near relative at the North, is a valuable and interesting ally to 

 man. It is very common, and may be seen in large numbers about 

 houses and gardens in late afternoon and at dusk. During the 

 daytime it hides in burrows of its own making, or in moist places 

 under boards and stones. 



It is probably of this toad that the following incident is told. 

 The story illustrates the rapidity with which food is seized and 



89 



