Hylidae 



Early May. The chonis 

 of Spring Peepers closes as 

 the pussy-willow is scat- 

 tering feathery seeds. 



foremost, an oblique cross on the back, 

 and transverse bars on the hind legs. 

 There is also a V-shaped mark between 

 the eyes, a similar m.ark, reversed, on the 

 back posterior to the cross, and a short 

 line extending lengthwise at each side of 

 the cross. The underparts are yellowish 

 white, more or less mottled with brown. 

 The undersurfaces of the legs may be yel- 

 low. The male is likely to be considerably 

 smaller than the female, and is usually 

 darker in colour. 



Pickering's Tree Frogs thrive well in 

 a small moss-garden. They may be kept 

 successfully, even all winter. They rest 

 or sleep much of the day under the moss, 

 or, perhaps, exposed on some plant. 

 (Fig. 171.) They sing often, especially in 

 the late afternoons and on rainy days, 

 but usually from under cover of moss 

 and leaves. (Fig. 172.) They eat small 

 worms and flies greedily. They climb 

 up the glass sides of their houses, alternat- 

 ing several rapid steps with relatively 

 long pauses. They never seem to climb 

 downward; jumping is easier. They never 

 attempt to escape; their small garden 

 with food and companions is a whole 

 world to them. 



The time of the chorus of Spring 

 Peepers extends from early March until 

 May, and often until the second or third 

 week of May. It may have brief inter- 

 ruptions, due to snow and severe cold, 

 although Pickering's Hyla often sings 

 when the temperature is below 50° F. 

 The chorus begins when the pussy- 

 willows are grey and the blue violets of 

 the marsh are just opening. It ends when 

 the pussy-willows are scattering feathery 

 144 



