610 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



centric circles of yellow and black; between them a yellow band 

 crossing each marginal; plastron yellow, with a black blotch on 

 each scute, these often ocellated with yellow; spots on bridge 

 usually confluent; head with numerous narrow stripes of greenish 

 or yellow; a broad stripe from under eye extending backward on 

 neck, being met at angle of mouth by a stripe from middle of lower 

 jaw; another stripe, often blood red, from posterior corner of eye 

 running back on neck; legs and tail striped with yellow. 

 Length 10 inches or less. 



6. WESTERN PAINTED TURTLE 



CHRYSEMYS MARGINATA (Agassiz) 



The Western Painted Turtle is found from central New York 

 westward through the Great Lakes and the Mississippi Valley and 

 southward to the Gulf. It is generally common and is abundant 

 throughout Indiana. It is found in practically every stream, pond 

 and lake in the state. While it is not rare in running streams, it 

 is in the small lakes and ponds that it most delights to dwell. 

 Choice situations are small muddy ponds in which are many old 

 logs or chunks on which they may bask. 



Next to the Map Turtle this is the most abundant species in 

 Lake Maxinkuckee ; and, excepting the Spotted Turtle and the Ele- 

 gant Turtle, it is the most beautiful. 



In the spring they are first noticed about the middle of March 

 in the small pools along the railroad between Green's flat and the 

 Outlet. Here they become very abundant in April, sitting on logs, 

 chunks, or other objects, sunning themselves. They do not ap- 

 pear in numbers in the lake proper until later. By the first of June 

 they can be found anywhere in shallow water about the lake. 



During the summer and until December they may be seen bask- 

 ing in the sun. Wherever a log, post, board or other object af- 

 fords support above the water there they will sit quietly all day 

 long, sliding off into the water only when disturbed. A favorite 

 place was on the boards and timbers in the lake off the ice-houses. 

 From July to October hundreds could be seen at this place. The 

 earliest and latest dates upon which we saw this species basking 

 were March 17 and December 3. They were observed moving 

 about under the ice as late as December 16. 



Near the end of Long Point on the north side was a portion 

 of an old pier which had drifted ashore and grounded in shallow 

 water. This was a favorite basking place for turtles throughout 

 the summer and fall, and 40 to 50 could be seen there any time. 



