THE ANOURA OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 11 



maritime provinces, as well as Gaspe jDeninsula, Quebec. 



HYLID^. 



(The Tree-Toads.) 

 Hyla pickeringii Storer. 



Tree-Toad. Pickering's Toad. 



This is the first of the batrachians to announce itself in the 

 spring, when its sharp whistling peep can be heard from every 

 pond, swamp, and marsh in or near a wood. It is also among 

 the last to disappear in autumn, for its note can be discerned 

 late in October after the first heavy frosts. A wary, nimble little 

 creature, hard to collect even during the breeding season, and in 

 early summer found occasionally adhering to the bark of willows 

 and red maples about ponds. 



Average size less than one and a half inches in length. Gular 

 sac brownish-purple. 



Abundant in New Brunswick, and the other maritime prov- 

 inces; occurs also in the Gaspe iieninsula. 



My la versicolor I.e Conte. 



Tree-Toad. 



Though early licts of provincial batrachians include this 

 species, and describe it as "common," the writer's experience 

 leads him to believe it very rare. This is unaccountable, for it 

 is very common in the Northern States, where its congener, the 

 lasts} ecies, is equall}' abundant, and t^hould therefoie be well 

 represented in the zoological province of northern New England 

 and New Brunswick, as far at least as the valley of the St. John. 

 Its note — a thrill, not unlike that cf B. (Icntiginosus) Americanus^ 

 but briefer — has been heard in a few places, and always after 

 night. 



A specimen collected in Gloucester Co., by Dr. A. C. Smith, 

 Inspector of Leprosy, Tracadie, is the only provincial representa- 

 tive examined by the writer, but, judging from a description, 

 another was found near Fredericton a few years ago. 



Larger than the last, with surface more warty and gular sac 

 paler. As the specific name implies, it possesses much of the 

 color-changing power of the chameleon. 



