270 BIOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS 



the toad is a useful and interesting animal and should never be 

 regarded with repugnance, much less, with enmity. 



Tree Toads. Another member of the amphibia is the tree- 

 toad or tree frog (Hyla) which, though common, is seldom seen, 

 because of its almost perfect protective coloration. Its song 

 however is familiar enough when the " peepers' " cheerful chorus 

 ushers in the early spring. They vie with the chameleon in ability 

 to change color to match their surroundings, green, gray, brown, 

 yellowish, and even purple being among their varied disguises. 

 It seems hardly possible that so loud a song can be sung by a 

 tiny frog, little more than an inch in length, but if we are patient 

 and successful enough to hunt one out with a lantern at night, 

 the reason is clearer. The little Hyla can expand its throat into 

 a vocal sac twice the size of its head, and with this enormous 

 drum can produce its very remarkable music. 



They are true tree climbers and on each toe have sticky discs 

 by which they can climb safely on the bark of trees and even 

 cling to glass. Their color, stripes, and shape protect them 

 perfectly from observation. 



The eggs are laid in April; and the tiny reddish tadpoles feed 

 on mosquitoes. The adults include also ants and gnats on their 

 menu, which ought to give them a place in our affection. A curious 

 fact about their tadpole stage is that they often leave the water 

 before the tail is nearly absorbed, being apparently able to breathe 

 air earlier in their metamorphosis than do most other frogs. 



Salamanders and Newts. The tailed amphibians, including 

 salamanders, newts, and mud puppies, are less known than they 

 should be. We have over fifty species in the United States, that 

 being more than are found in any other country. A very common 

 mistake, is to call these animals " lizards." They can readily be 

 distinguished because a lizard is a reptile and has scales like a 

 snake whereas the salamander is an amphibian and has a smooth 

 skin like a frog. 



One often finds, in moist woods, tiny brown or orange red 

 creatures about three inches long, beautifully spotted with scarlet 

 and black. These are newts and very curious and interesting little 



