58 COPEIA 



main part of the burrow was open, though drifting 

 leaves held by the Smilaoc steins had covered the en- 

 trance. In the lower part, however, was a mass of 

 earth containing a considerable amount of water, so 

 that it formed a stiff mud paste, which was very cold 

 to the touch. So far as we could tell, the turtle had 

 lain encased in this mud during its hibernation. The 

 tunnel walls were dry. 



Several fresh shells of Aromochelys odpratus 

 and one or two of Kinosternon pennsylvanicum were 

 seen lying about in wooded areas bordering this same 

 marsh. Thus the emergence of these turtles from 

 hibernation had been of interest to others. The shells 

 had been eaten out and left lying on logs, stumps, 

 or the ground. Apparently this was the work of 

 crows. American Crows were feeding here in abun- 

 dance, and with them were a few Fish Crows. 



The turtle that we had found was taken home 

 and placed in a basin of water. For several minutes 

 it made no movement save to emit a series of bubbles 

 from its nostrills, or to close and open an eye. Then 

 it proceeded to extend and retract its neck slowly. 

 At the same time it drew water into its mouth, and 

 apparently drank. The jaws were opened and closed 

 slowly. In a short time movement of the jaws ceased, 

 but the turtle continued to draw water into the mouth 

 and then expel it, the outdriven current setting up 

 eddies that agitated the silt on the bottom of the basin. 

 In a few more minutes the turtle became more alert 

 and swam and walked about, thrusting its head to the 

 surface. 



When the turtle was first found, its skin was 

 dry and wrinkled. The animal was able to retract 

 its head and tail and to close both lobes of the plas- 

 tron completely. By the following morning the skin 

 about its legs was smooth and swollen, and it was 

 unable to withdraw completely into its shell, owing 

 to absorption of water. 



