172 ARTHUR M. BANTA. 



The frogs were first observed in the breeding season in 1911 

 when on approaching the pond (March 30) at 100 yards' distance 

 the writer heard a chorus of peculiar quawks. On nearing the 

 pond the surface was seen to be constantly agitated and rippled 

 in many places simultaneously by the movements of scores of 

 frogs. 



There have been 150 to 250 of these frogs at the Cut-off Pond 

 each of the past three breeding seasons. The males lie on the 

 surface of the water with outstretched legs each one quawking 

 and swimming about at frequent intervals. The croak or short 

 quawk differs decidedly from the croak of other frogs known to 

 the writer. The note is not a distinct croak nor a peep but is a 

 somewhat guttural, though not a coarse tone, perhaps slightly 

 resembling the quack of a duck but more like the quawk of the 

 night-heron. But it is a shorter note; it is not so loud and is less 

 bird-like and more frog-like than the night-heron's call. The 

 frogs have a single quawk or croak usually not repeated for some 

 little interval. It is produced occasionally by the pairing males 

 and frequently by the single males while lying quietly on the 

 surface or resting partly upon a piece of brush or other debris. 

 There is also a series of notes rather less loud and in slightly higher 

 tone than the single call. This series is emitted by the males 

 while swimming with a series of short, very rapid, leap-like strokes, 

 a note accompanying each extension of the hind legs when the 

 frog begins to swim. It is also sometimes made by a pairing 

 male when with its mate it swims at the surface. Usually each 

 successive note is less loud and each swimming movement less 

 vigorous than the preceding one. The swimming movements of 

 a series often continue after the calls cease. The series of calls, 

 as well as the single note, when uttered by the pairing males is 

 somewhat modified (apparently by the contact of the male's 

 throat with the female's body) so that one can often distinguish 

 the call of the pairing from that of the single male. 



In swimming the head is held well out of the water and each 

 stroke tends to push the frog more or less above the surface. 

 The strokes are repeated in such quick succession that little 

 advantage is obtained from the momentum acquired from the 

 previous strokes and the tendency to push out of the water is 



