Habitat. The Bullfrog lives in large, shallow ponds and lakes. 

 Except in the breeding season it tends to be solitary, each frog hav- 

 ing a little cove of its own. It is strictly aquatic and seldom leaves 

 the water for anything more than a sun bath. 



Breeding Hahits. The bullfrog is late in coming from hiber- 

 nation and does not lay its eggs until late May or early June. At 

 this time the frogs gather along one section of shore, and unless 

 they have been hunted to the verge of extinction their full chorus 

 is heard. It is started by one frog and picked up by first one and 

 then another, until suddenly hundreds of voices roar out a meas- 

 ured diapason which proceeds for awhile, ends abruptly, and is 

 then repeated. The sound, which somewhat resembles the roaring 

 of a bull, can be written as "more rum" or "brr-wum." To imitate 

 this sound the croaking should be bass and the r's rolled slightly 

 with the soft palate. 



The tadpoles are about 50 mm. long when they transform. 



Food. The food of the Bullfrog is anything that he sees moving 

 and can swallow. Small turtles, fish, frogs, snakes, young water 

 birds, and insects are all grist for its large mill. It can even accom- 

 plish the seemingly impossible feat of swallowing a slightly smaller 

 relative while both are being carried around in a sack. In captivity 

 other frogs or minnows provide the necessary bulk. Needless to 

 say, it is not an animal that one wants to support for long. 



The voracious bullfrog proves to be an amusing pet for as long 

 as one can support his great appetite. He can be retired to the gold- 

 fish pool if there is an excess of fish. There, as indoors, he will sing 

 if stimulated by noises or even human singing. 



Perhaps the potential owner should be warned that occasionally 

 a Bullfrog when caught will emit a wild scream, like that of an 

 injured child. This sound may make even a seasoned frog catcher 

 let go, or, if heard echoing across a lonely marsh where some pre- 

 dacious bird has caught a victim, is calculated to send icy shivers 

 down the spine. 



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