268 



ANURA 



■^r^ 



keep quite still, and they have not been disturbed previously, one 

 after another will wriggle out of the mud, rise slowlj' to the 

 surface under cover of the plants, and, without causing a ripple, 

 rise just enough for the prominent eyes and the nose to clear the 

 surface. Then one scrambles partly on to a leaf, but the sight 

 of the huge human figure strikes him as uncanny, as it certainly 

 does not belong to the scenery, and he doubles back, the broadly- 

 webbed feet making a little splash. 

 But another appears, jumps on to a 

 leaf in the middle, or at the farther end 

 of the pond, settles down, and utters a 

 little croak, somewhat like " ooaar," 

 and soon the whole company appear 

 one after another, each taking up its 

 favourite position. After all, their ob- 

 serving powers cannot be very great. 

 If we ourselves keep still we may wield 

 a rod and fish for them. There is no 

 need of a hook, a piece of red cloth 

 tied to the end of the line and 

 skimmed over the water causes a lively 

 commotion. The new bait is noticed 

 at once, and arouses their curiosity ; 

 several jump at it, and the one which 

 swallows the bait can lie lifted out 

 before it has time to let go. However, 

 this is after all poor sport ; the game 

 is too eager. When a boy I have often 

 caught them with a noose of slender 

 wire at the end of a long hazel rod. 

 They do not mind the rod at all, their 

 attention being fixed on the person ; 

 they allow the noose to be slipped over their heads, and a sudden 

 jerk secures the captive. In this way they can be singled out 

 individually. Old frogs are more wary and experienced than 

 the younger members ; they take up safer positions, and by 

 their sudden plunges give the alarm. 



The males are great musicians, singing for sheer enjoj-ment 

 not only during the pairing time, but throughout the months 

 of June and July. Warm moonlit nights are the favourite times 



Fig. 51. — Rana escidenta. x 1. 

 Three stages of the movement 

 of the tongue. 



