516 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



habits as the Leopard Frog. Its rank odor probably protects it from some 

 enemies that prey on the Leopard Frog, and would prevent it being used for 

 food, even if it were common enough to be caught for that purpose. 



During the spring of 1901, a woodsman living near the lake gave infonn- 

 tion that he often heard proceeding from the forest ponds a tremendous 

 quacking like that of many ducks. A visit was made to ponds east of the 

 lake with the result that the same sound was heard, but the perpetrators of 

 the noise were too shy to allow themselves to be seen. It was thought that 

 the noise was made by the Pickerel Frog, which may sing under the water 

 like the Leopard Frog, and thus escape detection. 



The Pickerel Frog may usually be readily distinguished from the Leopard 

 Frog which it much resembles, by the decidedly yellowish cast of the under 

 part of the hind legs, and by its strong minky order. 



The following brief description may assist further in its identification. 



Light brown, with 2 rows of large oblong square blotches of dark brown 

 on back, one or two on sides; a brown spot above eye; a dark line from nostril 

 to eye; upper jaw white, spotted with black; head short; obtuse; toes well 

 webbed ; glandular folds low. 



16. Runa .sylratica Le Conte. 

 Wood Frog. 



The Wood Frog is somewhat common in damp woods through the eastern 

 part of the United States. At Lake Alaxinkuckee it is not particularly com- 

 mon, only about 20 e.xamples having been seen. Of these, 4 were taken on 

 the shore of Lost Lake, and 3 on the shore of Lake Maxinkuckee, the others 

 were obtained in the various inlets of the lake, a few in Culver Inlet, a few 

 in Xorris Inlet, but the greater number iii or along Aubeenaubee Creek. 



The earhest date on which it was seen was May 24, the latest August 23. 

 In general it prefers the neighborhood of creeks in low damp woods, and in 

 such situations, it is the most common frog in some parts of the State. It is 

 too small to be used for food. 



This frog, with its slender, elegant form and rich coppery color, is one of 

 the most handsome of our frogs. 



Side of head ^\^th a dark brown band, wider behind, from snout to shoulder, 

 bordered below by a yellowish white line; usually a black sjjot at base of arm. 

 General color pale reddish brown; arms and legs l)arred above, head small, 

 pointed; femur and tibia about equal, the latter considerably more than 

 half body; a rounded outer metatarsal tubercle present. Length about 

 2 inches. This species can be easily distinguished from any other about the 

 lake; farther north it has a relative much resembling it. 



