124 Frogs of the Okefinokee Swamp 



gratiosa) calling, some lo southern tree hogs (Hyla squirella), some cricket- 

 frogs (Acris gryllus) and no end of pine woods tree frogs {Hyla femoralis). 

 Never heard such a din. Hard on the ear. Brought in 12-15 males of oak 

 toads {Bujo quercicus). Also brought in three pairs of oak toads". The above 

 species are frequent associates of the oak toad in breeding time and place. 



Period. In 19 12 we discussed the ovulation period from scanty evidence. 

 It follows: Of all the 24 adults only four are females, three of which are spent 

 and one of the four, the largest specimen (30 mm. long), has the ovaries full of 

 eggs about to be laid. This specimen was taken June i, just one day previous 

 to the circumstantial record in the field and these four records give us little 

 idea of the breeding range. Subsequent to June 2 we found no more of these 

 small egg-strings nor ripe females and these facts force us to believe June i 

 about the end of the egg-laying period. Five of the eight specimens were 

 taken from June 1-7 and breeding impulses may explain their greater abun- 

 dance during the first of June and not later. 



In 1920 (p. 30) we held that "the oak toad breeds in May and June, most 

 of the egg laying doubtless occurring before June 15". In 1923 (b, p. 34) we 

 write from June ist to loth, three species begin (ovulation) Bufo quercicus . . . ". 

 In 1924 (b, p. 379) we give as the "Season June 4 to August 21". 



In 192 1 on June 2 we noted that the "oak toads from Hopkins, Ga., have 

 not laid as yet. The females have ripe eggs in them". 



On June 4 we found our first eggs. It "rained" two inches or more. When 

 we came out from dinner the island was afloat and everywhere oak toads were 

 calling. Oak toads out where apparently no permanent ponds are but never- 

 theless in these ponds calling and mating. Found a pond where they were 

 calling and laying '. 



The next congress came on July 3, 1921. Our terse note is "70° at 7:35 

 a.m. Trip by pond lever car to Honey Island, Honey Island Prairie and al- 

 most to Black Jack Island. On return to Honey Island began to pour, but a 

 warm rain. Found oak toads in a shallow brushy basin. Immense choruses. 

 Caught several. In fact, caught about 50. We took three pairs of oak toads. 

 In an overflow area with Woodwardia (fern) the predominant plant, water 2-4 

 inches deep. This chorus at 3 : 30-4: 00 p.m. Same condition all the way home". 



In scanning our journals, work sheets and notes we find notations as to 

 ovulation on the basis of different factors as follows: May and June, May i- 

 June 15, May 25- July 30, June i-August 21, June 4 to August 21, June 4- 

 August 27, June 4- August 17, May 25- , June 4- August 8, June 4- July 

 17. These dates give the growth of our accumulating data but they also 

 reveal that our knowlege of this abundant species is all to scanty. Doubtless 

 if one were to choose the extremes above May i-August 2 7 he could not be far 

 astray, although the author would prefer May 15-August 15 or June i- 

 August 15 for the general period and bulk of ovulation. 



If one occasionally finds mature tadpoles in mid June or unspent females 

 (August 26, 1922) in late August then he realizes the possibility of May i or 

 earlier as beginning of oviposition and September possibly as the end of 

 straggling ovulation. 



