348 RAMBLES ABOUT HOME. 



ined the stomach-contents of the two. In one was a 

 full-grown chipmunk (Tamias striatd) ; in the other, a 

 garter-snake (Eutania sirtalis) measuring eighteen inches 

 in length, and also a field-mouse (Arvicola riparia). On 

 close examination I found that the snake had partially 

 swallowed the mouse ; and, while thus helpless, the frog 

 had evidently attacked the snake, and swallowed it. 



It is evident, I think, that the frog recognized the 

 helpless condition of the snake at the time, and took ad- 

 vantage of it. If so, it is evidence of a degree of intelli- 

 gence on the part of the animal which the results of my 

 experiments with these creatures generally had not led 

 me to expect. Certainly a frog, however large, will not 

 attack even a small snake if it is possessed of its usual 

 activity. 



A wood-frog that I have now had for several months 

 in a Wardian case shows, however, that the character of 

 its accustomed haunts has necessitated the exercise of 

 ingenuity to secure its food, and therefore its intelligence 

 has increased beyond that of its aquatic cousins. 



I have frequently noticed, when I placed flies in the 

 case, that the wood-frog singled out one, and approached 

 it in a very stealthy manner, squatting closely to the 

 moss, hiding behind ferns and dragging itself along, 

 until it had reached a position suitable for making a cuc- 

 cessful leap. If the fly moved, the frog would alter its 

 position accordingly, and follow up the chase with great 

 patience and unquestionable skill. At times it would 

 happen that some one of the smaller batrachians kept in 

 the case snapped up the coveted prize, when the disgust 

 of the wood-frog would be plainly shown by his manner ; 

 but such an occurrence never led to a quarrel. 



The aquatic frogs do not pursue their prey with any- 

 thing like the same persistency and skill, even when they 



