Acris gryllus 169 



W. P. Hay (1902, p. 128) writes that "Both (subspecies) are found in 

 abundance along the banks of streams and ponds whence their continuous 

 metalHc cry comes almost without intermission during the season of activity, 

 particularly during hot, sunshiny days." 



Moi'se (1904, p. 118) remarks that "The cricket-frog is well known to any 

 one who frequents the riverside or the swamp — less, however, by its appear- 

 ance than its note. If one can imagine a rattling of pebbles mingled with the 

 screech of a violin string in a high note, he may have a suggestion of the 

 cricket-frog's note. When given it is either a continuous chirp or given in 

 sets of three each rising in pitch." 



In 1905 Ditmars speaks of "its sharp, trilling cry, resembling in volume the 

 call of the field cricket, ... It "may be heard at various times." 



Ruthven, Thompson & Thompson (191 2, pp. 46, 47) report that "These 

 frogs sing in chorus during the months of April and May and the isolated call 

 may be heard all summer. The song resembles the chirping of a cricket, 

 hence the common name, cricket frog." To Miss Dickerson (1906) the song 

 "resembles the ratthng call of the Swamp Tree Frog, but the notes are more 

 rapidly given and are sharper in quality." She gives the pebble or marble 

 figure. "The call has not great carrying power, either when given alone or 

 when given in chorus." 



Fowler (1907, pp. 102, 103) finds "Besides the rattling call a squeaky sound 

 was heard occasionally, though only during the breeding season. ... It 

 may be stated that in my experience their call appears to be variable. . . . 

 (two pebbles figure). . . . Perhaps the rattling of two castenets would be 

 a better suggestion." Deckert (1915, p. 21) finds "Its rattling notes can be 

 heard during the entire season, day and night" in Florida. 



At Brevard, N. C, Dunn (191 7, p. 621) from July i "Heard (them) 

 nearly every night." 



In 1920 Logier (1925, p. 92) found one specimen of this species at Point 

 Pelee, Ontario. "On the afternoon of July 15th, while sketching beside this 

 pond, my attention was caught by what to me was a new frog-note, and which 

 sounded something like the tapping together of two pebbles. This call, 

 which like the calls of our other diminutive frogs had considerable carrying 

 power, was uttered intermittently, that is, the frog would call several times 

 and then remain silent for a while. By following the sound I finally located 

 the tiny producer, hiding among the rushes in the shallow water at the pond's 

 margin. It dived when I attempted to capture it, but was dragged ashore in a 

 net full of bottom trash. When landed it did not make for the water as frogs 

 usually do, but took a few jumps further ashore as if in an effort to hide itself 

 in among the shore vegetation." 



Our records of calling in 192 1 and 1922 extends from Apr. 21 into Septem- 

 ber or the whole period of our sojourn in the swamp. 



Characterizations of its voice are quite numerous. For example, Over- 

 ton's description is one of the most extended and best accounts: "The voice 

 of a cricket frog is a combination of a rattle and a musical clink, but it is only 

 about half as loud as that of a spring peeper. A chorus heard at a distance 



