The Peeper, Hyla pickeringii (Holbrook). 



35 



LIFE-HISTORY OF THE PEEPER. 



This species is the smallest of our Anura; on the average it is about 

 an inch long. Its best field-marks are its size and the oblique cross on 

 its back. In the spring it seems to manifest no particular preference 

 of habitat. It occurs in myriads in the open lowland marshes, and 

 revels in the swamps at the sources of our streams, whether wooded or 

 open, sphagnum or cat-tail. In fact, it seeks anj^ pool, ditch, or pond, 

 transient or permanent, grassy or muddy. 



THE FIRST APPEARANCE. 



It is our first frog to come out of hibernation. The first intimation 

 of its presence in the spring is its call, and all our first records for the 

 last ten years are of this nature. 

 Its appearance is almost coincident 

 with that of the spotted salamander 

 {Amhysto7na punctatum) and the 

 wood-frog {Rana sylvatica). An 

 average of the subsequent dates 

 leads one to expect the peeper on 

 or about March 26; the earliest 

 spring record is March 13, 1911; 

 the latest is April 12, 1901. The 

 first appearance records are shown 

 in table herewith. 



On the day previous to the record 

 the maximum air-temperatures 

 range, with two exceptions, from 44 to 57 degrees; on the days of the 

 records the maxima are from 41 to 82 degrees, with two exceptions. 

 In the case of March 25, 1908, we recorded a temperature of 41 degrees 

 where the peeper was heard instead of the official 37 degrees. From 

 the above official records one concludes that 41 degrees is requisite 

 for first appearance. Viewed from another point, we find the record 

 flanked on one or both sides by a maximum of at least 44 degrees. 

 From temperatures taken personally at the time of the first record, we 

 have 41 degrees on March 25, 1908, 54 degrees on March 22, 1910, and 

 50 degrees on March 13, 1911. 



This form appears occasionally in midwinter. In 1906 from Jan- 

 uary 21 to 23, the air-temperatures ran up to 70, 66, and 68 degrees. 

 In this period the peepers appeared in Renwick Marsh, at the base 

 of West Hill, with its decided eastern exposure. In the same spot, 

 January 24, 1909, a similar record occurred under a temperature of 

 62 degrees. All in all, we may consider, from first records and second 

 appearances, that an air- temperature of 41 degrees or higher will bring 

 the first appearance of the peeper. They are not dependent on water 

 temperatures for first emergence. During the midwinter appearances 



