Hay Batrachians and Reptiles of D. C. 129 



forks near the middle of its length; upper surface of limbs barred or 

 blotched. Length, H inches. 



This species is rarely seen except during its breeding season, when it 

 is quite common. Its cry consists of two or three clear whistle-like 

 chirps, like those of a young turkey, and, after one has learned to 

 distinguish it from that of H. pickeringi, serves to betray its presence at 

 once. In the spring of 1896 I collected thirty specimens in less than 

 an hour from the gutters along the Conduit Road near Cabin John's 

 Bridge. 



16. Hyla pickeringi (Storer). Pickering Treefrog. 



General form like the preceding but the body somewhat stouter; 

 fingers and toes with well developed disks; fingers entirely unwebbed; 

 toes half webbed; color ashy, brown, or reddish above; grayish or 

 whitish below; on the back there is an irregular X of dusky; on the sides 

 another dusky line runs parallel with the posterior limbs of the X, and 

 on the head is a broad V-shaped mark; a dark line from snout, through 

 eye, to back of head; limbs barred or mottled. Length about 1 inch. 



This species is more common than the preceding and is occasionally 

 met with throughout the summer. Its habits during the breeding season 

 are easily studied, if one will go to some secluded woodland pool with a 

 lantern, and the sight is well worth the trouble. Like many other 

 species, this one has a large gular sac which it inflates when it sings. 

 This sac is distended until it is almost as large as the body, and the skin 

 is so stretched that it is nearly transparent. The muscles of the sides 

 contract tremendiously and a clear whistle-like cry is produced, out of 

 all proportion to the diminutive size of the frog. This cry differs from 

 that of the preceding species in that the chirp is repeated monotonously 

 time after time. 



17. Hyla versicolor Le Conte. Common Treefrog, Chamasleon Tree- 

 frog. 



Body rather stout and almost toad-like; head broader than long, snout 

 rounded; fingers and toes with large disks; fingers with an evident web; 

 toes webbed to near their tips; skin with numerous small warts above, 

 granulate beneath. Gray-green, gray, or brown, with irregular, indistinct 

 dark blotches and lines; below, white with bright yellow on groin and 

 front and back of thighs. Length 1 to 2 inches. 



Common but not often collected. Its "short, loud, trilled rattle" is 

 heard throughout the summer in the evenings or during damp weather, 

 individuals calling and answering from their perches on trees or fences. 



1 8. Hyla evittata Miller. Swamp Treefrog. 



Form similar to ChoropTiilus nigritus but with blunter snout and 

 slenderer legs: fingers and toes with well developed disks; fingers dis 

 tinctly webbed; toes webbed to the disks; skin nearly smooth. Color of 



