RANA PIPIENS. 79 



Uttered by the males is so loud as to resemble the distant roaring of a bull, and 

 can be heard on still evenings at the distance of half a mile. During the day 

 they are generally quiet, and only begin their noise at the approach of twilight, 

 or in dark cloudy weather. 



They cannot be said to abound, but are found commonly enough sitting half 

 immersed in water, or on the banks of ponds, waiting for their prey. If alarmed, 

 they leap suddenly into the water, like the Rana fontinalis and Rana halecina; 

 but, unlike them, they do not conceal themselves at once, but frequently skim 

 along the surface for several yards before they dive below it. 



They are the most aquatic of all our frogs; indeed, I have known them to live 

 in wells for years, where they could not rest a moment on solid ground above the 

 water, consequently they are among the best swimmers of the tribe; and for this 

 their organization is perfect — the thighs and legs are very strong and muscular, 

 and the broad palmated foot makes an excellent paddle. 



They are also exceedingly active on land, and leap to a great distance; Kalm 

 gives an amusing story of one that beat a swift running Indian at a "foot race." 

 They feed on various insects, and the smaller animals that live about water, as a 

 species of crawfish, (Astacus Blandingii,) two of which I have found at a time in 

 the stomach of a large Bull-frog; and Dr. Storer informs me that he has often 

 found their stomachs filled with snails, (Helix albolabris.) Like all other frogs, 

 they only seize their prey when it is alive or in motion; they even take the hook 

 readily, springing upon the bait with great avidity, when it is moved gently 

 before them. 



Geographical Distribution. This animal is found in almost every part of the 

 United States; Kalm even met with it as far north as Quebec, in latitude 47°. I 

 have seen it in all the Atlantic states, and have received specimens from the more 

 southern states; and there is no doubt of its being in the great valley of the west, 

 as Say observed it in Ohio. 



