ML EES OF THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK CITY 123 
DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE TURTLES. 
The Leather-back Turtle, or Trunk Turtle, Dermochelys 
coriacea (Figs. 21, 22 and 23), is easily distinguished from the two 
other species of sea turtles occasionally taken off our 
coasts, by the heavy, ridge-like processes, seven in 
number, running lengthwise on the carapace. Instead 
of the horny plates usually present on turtles, the carapace and 
plastron of this species are covered with a leathery integument. 
The Leather-back Turtle attains a large size. In warmer waters 
specimens are occasionally captured which exceed seven feet in 
length. The general color is dark brown, although there is 
sometimes a sprinkling of yellow. Like the other sea turtles 
this species never comes to the shore, except for the purpose of 
depositing eggs. Its flesh is of no value for food purposes. The 
reptile feeds upon fishes, crustacea, mollusks and seaweeds. 
Range: Tropical seas. 
Local distribution: Occasionally off the Atlantic coast of the 
Middle Atlantic and New England States, where its presence is 
accidental. 
The Loggerhead Turtle, Thalassochelys caretta (Figs. 24 and 
25), might possibly be confounded with the Green Turtle, owing 
to a similarity of the shells of these species. Certain 
characters, however, make determination compara- 
tively simple. The head of the Loggerhead is very 
large in proportion to the reptile’s size; the flippers are generally 
provided with two nails, while the shell is dark brown, some- 
times marked with a lighter brown. The colors of the Green 
Turtle are much lighter; the head of medium size; there is 
generally one nail on each flipper. Both of these species have 
shells covered with smooth shields. The flesh of the Loggerhead 
is little cared for. It does not deposit eggs in temperate regions. 
This species attains a length of six feet. 
Range: Tropical and semi-tropical seas. 
Local distribution: An accidental visitor off the Atlantic. 
coast. 
Leather- 
back Turtle. 
Loggerhead 
Turtle. 
