MARINE TURTLES AND TERRAPINS 287 



sand-bed, which should be above high-water mark. 

 When laying time comes, early in the summer (late 

 in May, through June, and most of July), the 

 females crawl into the sand-bed and scoop out a jug- 

 shaped hole, about six inches deep and three inches 

 in diameter, using their hind feet. The animals 

 then back into the hole as far as they can, lay the 

 eggs, and cover them. When the hole is partly or 

 nearly filled, the animal packs the sand by raising 

 itself on its feet and then coming down with its full 

 weight, striking the sand with its lower shell. After 

 the hole has been refilled, the animal walks back and 

 forth over the nest and around it several times, there- 

 by concealing it so effectually that the exact spot is 

 difficult to find. Then, instead of walking away in 

 the usual manner, the terrapin walks high on its feet 

 so that the shell w ill not drag and leave a conspicuous 

 track. Diamond-back terrapins generally lay twice 

 during one summer; some animals lay three times, 

 and unusually healthy young females may even lay 

 four times. Ordinarily about eight eggs are laid at a 

 time. 



The eggs are allowed to remain in the sand and 

 hatch by the heat of the sun. Some of the young dig 

 their way out of the sand soon after hatching ; others 

 do not emerge until spring. At Beaufort they are 

 not allowed to remain in the sand through the winter, 

 for the egg beds are dug over each fall, and all the 

 young are removed, either to be placed in a nursery 

 house to be fed during the winter, or to be placed 

 in a safe place to hibernate. 



A nursery house, modeled somewhat after the type 



