SAND DUNES AND SALT MARSHES 



but its shape easily distinguishes it from the 

 common rock crab. Whether it has estab- 

 lished itself firmly here or has made but a 

 transient extension from its more southern 

 home I do not know. 



Our own common rock crab, notwithstand- 

 ing its name, is an abundant frequenter of 

 these sandy shores, both on the outside 

 beaches and in the more sheltered estuaries. 

 It is fully as livel}^ as its crazy cousin, and 

 at dead low tide one can quickly pick up a 

 basket full in the shallow waters if he is 

 skilled in avoiding the nipping claws— other- 

 wise it will be a long and painful process. 

 It has a habit of burrowing in the sand of the 

 beach, where it remains concealed, with the 

 exception of a narrow crevice in which may 

 be seen its watchful eyes. The gulls often 

 find them there, pull them out and batter them 

 to pieces. They are good eating — almost 

 equal to the lobster, which is comparatively 

 rare here. 



Occasionally one notices a rougher, more 

 massive looking crab, otherwise similar to the 

 rock crab. This is the Jonah crab, the origin 

 of whose suggestive name is to me unknown. 



The sea-urchin, lover of rocky bottoms, is 

 258 



