114 Nichols on Scaphiopus Solilanus. 



where-about the years 1S10 ; 1S11 or 1812, subsequent to a 

 great rain in summer, several frogs of this curious species 

 were noticed by John Swinerton, Esq., now deceased, who 

 resided very near this spot for sixty successive years, and 

 had ample opportunity to observe them. Their numbers, 

 in this, their first appearance, was as great as at any time 

 since; determined by the testimony of several witnesses. 

 At this time, during one or two days and nights, they were 

 very noisy and actively engaged in fulfilling the great fiat 

 of creation; and soon afterwards they disappeared. Nothing 

 more was seen of them for several years. Their voices or 

 note so nearly resembled that of young crows, that it at- 

 tracted the attention of a Mr. Elijah Pope, a farmer, who 

 lived half a mile distant ; and, accompanied by his son, 

 sallied forth, gun in hand, to kill what he so naturally im- 

 agined were mischievous birds in his corn-field. From 

 this little anecdote I am enabled to determine their first ob- 

 served appearance with some degree of certainty ; thus de- 

 fining the time as about the first of September, when corn 

 is in a state to be fed upon by the crow : while, again, the 

 years mentioned above, agree with a statement of the son, 

 Mr. N. Pope, who from his own present age, concludes that 

 1812 or a year or two earlier, was the time of their first 

 visit. 



So far as recollection serves, nothing more was seen of 

 them, until July, 1825, on a day memorable for the passage 

 of LA FAYETTE over the Newburyport Turnpike close by, 

 on his return to Boston from his eastern tour; at which time 

 their voices added to the welcome greetings of a nation's 

 guest ! Since this last date, thus rendered conspicuous as 

 well as certain, whenever the basin has been filled in warm 

 weather, these reptiles invariably make their appearance. 

 This has occurred, however, only three times, viz. : August 

 12th, 1834: again in the summer of a year whose date is 

 forgotten; and on June 16th, 1842. The forenoon of this 

 day, last mentioned, was dark and rainy, as the day and 

 night previous had been. Their croaking attracted the at- 

 tention of an acquaintance of miiiCj and information of their 



