82 Fi'ogs of the Okefinokee Swamp 



seen out of the water, and that, too, notwithstanding we were at the pond 

 ahnost immediately following their first coming. If they had come from any 

 tolerable distance, it would seem that some late-comers would have been 

 detected. Again, their retreat must have been almost as sudden as their 

 appearance. I passed the pond about ten o'clock at night, and the air was 

 perfectly vocal with their never-to-be-forgotten notes. I went to the pond 

 early the following morning, but all was silent and deserted. Had they re- 

 turned to the ground? Such seems the most probable explanation. Yet so 

 carefully had they covered the retreat that not the slightest trace could be 

 found. 



"Furthermore, their appearance itself seems to be capricious and phenom- 

 enal. I made inquiries of persons of observant habits as to any previous 

 occurrence in the vicinity, but was not able to find any account of them. 



"It has been suggested that they are, doubtless, nocturnal in habit, and 

 that this explains, in a measure, their comparative rarity, even where known 

 to exist. I have no hesitancy in assenting to the nocturnal habit. It is quite 

 in keeping with the habit of many of the order; and the vertical pupil of the 

 eye points likewise to the same face. This, however, in itself, must be a com- 

 paratively small factor in the case, and, alone, would hardly insure it against 

 frequent detection any more than does a similar habit in many other nocturnal 

 animals. I had gone by this hollow repeatedly, night after night, both before 

 and after this appearance, and, though constantly on the alert to notice any- 

 thing of the sort, had no hint of their presence. 



"Doubtless, the soHtary burrowing habit goes much further in explaining 

 its seclusion. But even this would be inadequate, unless the animal persis- 

 tently avoided all open and cultivated grounds. Such, only, would protect it 

 against frequent exposure by the spade or plow. 



"Altogether, they are certainly the most peculiar and erratic of any of the 

 order; and, under the peculiar difficulties in the way of continuous study, it 

 will be long ere its life-history can be said to be thoroughly known. However, 

 the very difficulties add a charm to the investigation, which we may hope will 

 lead to success. To me, the brief research herein outlined has been full of the 

 liveliest interest, and, while but a mite toward the solution of the problem, 

 I shall hope that it may not be without some value when a final summary is 

 made." 



Cope (1889, p. 301) maintains that, "This species, though so widely 

 distributed is seldom seen. After rains in spring and summer its cries may be 

 heard at night, proceeding always, so far as my experience goes, from tem- 

 porary pools. I have observed it twice in Pennsylvania, twice in New Jersey, 

 once in Massachusetts, on the main land opposite Martha's Vineyard. Speci- 

 mens from the latter locality which I kept in a vivarium buried themselves in 

 the earth by day, but issued at night-fall, and industriously explored their 

 surroundings. Their burrows were concealed by the loose earth which fell 

 into and filled them, but below this the bony top of the head could be always 

 found. Frequently one eye projected from the debris, presenting with its 

 brassy-colored iris a most singular appearance. On being irritated with a 



