183 



Cherries were eaten by one Hox Turtle and clover leavrs Wi-rc- found 

 devoured by the Wood Tortoise. The seeds of the black alder (Ilex) 

 were disiovered in the stoiiiaclis of two Wood Turtles, while another 

 speciiiieu of the same species had fed extensively upon fox grapes. 

 One Common Box Turtle had regaled itself upon the fragrant plant 

 eoninionly known as the Sweet Cicely, while anolher had likewise 

 indulged in the spicy foliage of the common Wintergreen. 



Three Common Box Turtles were found to have fed on Ground 

 Cherries, or the low herb bearing fruits enclosed in pa|>er-Iike 

 capsules and sometimes called '-paiHir cherries" or "Erdcache" 

 (Physalis), while one Wood Turtle had actually fed upon the berries 

 of the Nightshade, and another contained the seeds of a plant 

 known as Turtlehead (Clieione glabra). Two other Wood Turtles 

 had fed on the common Plantain, and another had eaten the fruit 

 of the Partridge Berry (Milchella), while another had fed on the 

 berries of the Common Elder (Sambucus), as had also a Painted 

 Turtle. 



In reviewing the food of Turtles from the standpoint of the 

 plants, it will be seen that the Flowering plants were most at- 

 tacked, of which the grasses received a fair share of attention and 

 berries were also among the favorites. There appeared, however, 

 no concentration upon any one kind of plant for food by any species 

 of turtle, such as is shown by some of the carnivorous turtles, 

 showing preference for certain kinds of animal organisms. Per- 

 haps further examinations, with complete determination of frag- 

 ments, might reveal a more definite vegetable choice for some 

 species of turtles. 



It should here be recorded that melons, especially cantaloupes, 

 are favorite articles of food of at least one species of turtle. The 

 Common Box Turtle has come into considerable disrepute with our 

 melon growers owing to its tendency to feed extensively upon this 

 fruit. We know a careful and thoughtful grower of melons who 

 makes a practice of killing the Common Box Turtles in his premises, 

 owing to the loss suffered by these animals biting out pieces of the 

 melons as they lie on the vines in the fields. 



We also received a report from a botanist in Washington, I). C. 

 to the effect that by eating the leaves aquatic turtles had severely 

 injured his lilies growing in a pond. This is an unusual record, but 

 it is quite possible for such species as the Mud Tnrde, the Wood 

 Turtle and the Terrapin to do such damage. 



The few fruits which are eaten by turtles are, of course, in most 

 cases those whic-h have dropped on the ground an<l conse(iuently 

 are almost or entirely worthless, excepting the melons. It is cpiite 

 evident that the destruction of obnoxious insects more than balances 

 the slight injury they may inflict to vegetation. 



