22 COPEIA 



greater number of specimens are 1 inch or less in 

 length. This species looks and acts more like a water 

 frog than a tree-toad, although belonging to the latter 

 family. 



Chorophilus occidentalis, B. & G., is a beautiful 

 species, rarely seen except in early spring. At this 

 time, however, it occurs in great numbers in the large, 

 shallow bayous, where it stands almost straight up- 

 right, on some twigs or weeds, with its large throat 

 pouch distended, giving vent to its piercing call. This 

 call is very loud, similar in pitch to that of Hi/la pick- 

 eringi, but much shorter, and at a distance sounds like 

 the ring of a steel chisel, when struck by a hammer. 



This is the largest species of the genus Choro- 

 philus, attaining a length of 1% inches, from snout 

 to vent. It is stout of body, the head is pointed, the 

 arms and legs rather short and stout. The toes are 

 very slightly webbed, the disks on fingers and toes 

 scarcely noticeable. The subarticular tubercles are 

 very prominent. 



The structure of this species indicates terrestrial, 

 possibly subterraneous habits. I have dug specimens 

 out of the sweet-potato hills in my garden. 



The smooth, shiny upper surfaces are rich reddish 

 brown or fawn colored, like specimens of our northern 

 Wood frog. There is a black band on each side, 

 beginning at the nostril, running through the eye, 

 over the tympanum to the shoulder. The edge of the 

 upper jaw is silvery white. The groin is rich yellow 

 or orange, with large elongate or round black spots. 

 The undersides are white, faintly spotted with brown 

 on the throat, flesh colored posteriorly. On the back 

 there may be two broad, dark brown parallel bauds. 

 The arms and legs are banded more or less distinctly 

 with brown. 



Chorophilus nigritus, Le Conte, or "Swamp 

 Tree-toad," is found during the Winter and early 

 Spring, in great numbers about ditches and bayous. 



