.4cm gryllus 167 



O. P. Hay (1892, p. 462) finds: "This little frog is one of our commonest 

 batrachians. During the summer season it may be seen in numbers along all 

 of our streams. I doubt if it is often seen about the ponds or pools far from 

 running water. It is not thoroughly aquatic but delights to spend its time 

 amid the vegetation about the borders of the water. When alarmed it will 

 leap into the water, but it often appears to become alarmed at its rashness and 

 hastens to reach the land again. When followed up, however, it will go to the 

 bottom and seek to conceal itself for awhile. Though belonging to the 

 'tree-frogs' it never ascends trees, and probably climbs only the shorter 

 grasses and water plants." Blatchley (1891, p. 27) calls this species "the 

 most abundant tailless batrachian in the country. Hundreds are to be seen 

 along any small stream in spring and autumn. They appear less common 

 in summer . . ." 



"... It is my observation that it is to be found at all times during 

 the summer." 



Hurter (1893, p. 253) finds this form "the most common of all little 

 frogs. It is found near pools and creeks, where it generally sits on the banks 

 so as to resort to the water when alarmed. It can make jumps from three to 

 four feet long." 



Sherwood (1898, p. 18) holds "They are rarely found away from the bor- 

 ders of ponds, and their long leaps and swimming powers render capture very 

 difficult." 



Morse (1902, p. 118) finds that "So nearly does the color of the frog blend 

 with that of its surroundings that it is detected with but the greatest dif- 

 ficulty. In the cricket frog we have virtually a tree-frog with terrestrial 

 habits. The presence of the terminal suckers on the toes would seem to indi- 

 cate a former arboreal mode of life. Common everywhere." 



Ditmars (1905, p. 193) says "The animal is very difficult of capture since 

 it possesses great leaping powers and quickness in diving. During periods of 

 heavy dew these frogs may be found in high grass adjacent to marshes. Owing 

 to its smallness and agility, it is rarely observed after its breeding season." 



Of this species Fowler (1907, p. 102) writes "These little toads were found 

 to be very abundant, though exceedingly difficult to see, on account of their 

 small size and close resemblance to the aquatic vegetation in which they live. 

 Their notes were a characteristic feature of these ponds all along the marshes 

 most of the time, and also in the cedar-swamps. I have heard them in 

 various places, more or less regularly, from spring all through the summer 

 and on several occasions in Dr. Abbott's own meadows." (See Abbott 1882). 



In 191 8 Cope (19 19, p. 97) writes of them at Houston, Texas, that "The 

 frogs usually sit on the bank a few inches from the water. If danger ap- 

 proaches they plunge into the water and swim rapidly back to the bank unless 

 too much alarmed, when they dive and hide in the mud. February 10 col- 

 lected seven specimens in day fight. They are not nocturnal in habit but seem 

 to be active both day and night." 



Of the jumping records of Acris we record the following: On Apr. 23, 192 1, 

 we wrote "Acris can jump three or four feet sometines. . . . Acris usually 



