Mee IILES OF THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK CITY ‘tig 
TURTLES. 
Order Chelonia. 
Of the twelve species of turtles, or chelonians, found locally, 
three are marine wanderers from warmer climes and of rare 
occurrence. The marine turtles may be immediately recognized 
by their peculiar paddle-like limbs which are frequently termed 
" tippers.” The use of these members in the progress of a sea 
turtle through the water has been appropriately compared to 
the flight of a hawk or an eagle. Of the other species of chelon- 
Jans, one is strictly terrestrial in habits, while eight species are 
semi-aquatic and frequent the neighborhood of ponds and 
marshes. 
The upper shell of a turtle is technically known as the “ car- 
apace,’ the lower shell as the “‘plastron.’’ These terms have 
been employed throughout the description of the species with a 
view of abbreviation. 
Key to the Local Turtles. 
a. LIMBS LONG AND PADDLE-LIKE (FLIP- 
PID IRS) Sh teeta ee ort ae ae nr eae y SEA TURTLES. 
aa. Carapace with seven heavy keels, 
running lengthwise. 
Uniform dark brown....... Leather- back Turtle 
(Dermochelys coriacea). 
ab. Carapace smooth. 
Olive-brown; head very 
large; usually two nails on 
Cache ili DMC trys tescl ae Loggerhead Turtie 
(Thalassochelys  car- 
etta). 
Olive or brown, marbled with 
yellow; head of moderate 
size; usually one nail on 
CACHE Pete te ee. suck Green Turtle (Chelonia 
mydas). 
