The American Toad 



The shining leaves 



and flowers of the 



Cowslips. — 



May 1st. 



at our left, and out 

 comes a snake, making 

 its way along the bank 

 towards the mass of 

 golden "cowslips." 

 But such a queer snake 

 one never saw. It has two long 

 legs extending straight out from 

 the neck. It is the work of but a moment to 

 stop its course and hold it firmly to see what 

 strange monster is here. Do you see? The 

 snake has partially swallowed a large toad, 

 headfirst, and the toad's long hind legs are 

 extending on each side from the angle of the 

 snake's jaws. It is one of our singers, too intent 

 on his singing to see the stealthy approach of his enemy. Pity 

 wins the day; we must save the toad, although the snake will 

 lose a good dinner, and probably a well-earned one. So we in- 

 crease our pressure on the snake slightly, and the toad is released. 

 With eager hops he proceeds back to the water. The snake goes 

 on until hidden under the shining leaves and yellow flowers of 

 the " cowslips." Humbly and thoughtfully we continue our 

 walk. The crooning tones of the singers in the pond become 

 more and more indistinct until they are lost altogether, and we 

 come again into the busy world of men. 



In late May, go to the woods, when the new wintergreen 

 leaves are coming up red. Proceed to 

 the pond at the edge of the woods, espe- 

 cially if it be late afternoon. Stand and 

 look out over the water with its opening 

 yellow pond-lilies, some of their leaves 

 still wearing their baby red. See the 

 brilliancy and delicacy of the colum- 

 bines that cluster with the ferns at 

 your right. Look for the broad 

 leaves and flower-like fruits of 

 the " cowslips " along the pond 

 margin at the left. Hear the 

 emphatic call of the oven-bird at 

 your back, the love notes of the 



The broad leaves and flower-like fruits 

 of the Cowslips. — May 20th. 



65 



