TOADS. 327 
Though the Natterjack is chiefly nocturnal in its habits, it does 
not avoid or dread the rays of the sun; sometimes, it even basks 
in them. It is also a burrowing animal, making holes in either 
sand or soft mould. The holes are usually from lft. to 18in. 
deep, and the Toad generally rests in a small recess at the 
bottom of the hole. The Natterjacks are frequently found in 
pairs in these burrows, which they generally, if not always, enter 
by retreating backwards. When they are dug out of their holes 
they are invariably found, I believe, with their heads facing the 
opening to their domicile. Sometimes as many as three of these 
Toads are found in the same retreat, the entrance to which is, as 
a rule, sheltered by some piece of turf or mound of sand. These 
holes are, naturally, from time to time more or less filled with 
drifted sand, but the active little creatures seem to have no difficulty 
in escaping from their place of temporary entombment. 
One of the easiest ways of obtaining these Batrachians is to dig 
them out of their burrows, which may be readily recognised after 
a little experience. Natterjacks also hide under stones, logs, and 
pieces of bark. 
The croak of these creatures is harsher and more prolonged 
than that of the Common Toad, and sometimes may be heard, on 
still evenings, at a distance of at least 500 yards. . They wisely, 
however, unlike their near relative just mentioned, cease to make 
any noise when they have reason to suspect the presence of an 
enemy. 
From the beginning of April, or earlier, to the end of June, and 
sometimes later, these Toads may be found in considerable 
numbers in their own neighbourhood, near or in water. They 
prefer shallow water, especially where there are reeds or the like, 
and there they sit with their noses and eyes just above its surface. 
This habit of hiding among reeds has perhaps given them their 
specific name. 
Natterjacks, like many other members of their order, have the 
power of assuming different shades of colour. For example, when 
they are squatting on the dry and light-coloured sand their hue 
may become so like that of their surroundings that there is no 
little difficulty in distinguishing the animals; and under these 
circumstances the yellow dorsal stripe is nearly sure to be mistaken 
