AMPHIBIA (BATRACHIA) 



129 



A frog somewhat similar to the bullfrog, both in appearance and in 

 habits, is the green or spring frog, R. clamata, Fig. 93; it is much smaller 

 in size, however, the adult measuring only 3 inches. Instead of the 

 deep bellowing it has a note that may be represented by the words, 

 " chock, chock, chock," and an occasional single note "chung. " It 

 is, in many places the first species heard in the spring. It is more or less 

 solitary in habits and seldom leaves the water. Like the preceding 

 species it passes the first winter in the tadpole stage. 



The most widely distributed of our frogs is the common frog, leo- 

 pard frog, spring frog or shad frog, R. mrescens, Fig. 92. It is found 

 over practically the entire continent east of the Sierra Nevada 

 Mountains. It reaches a length of 3^ inches and is distinctly marked 



PIG. 92. Spring or leopard frog, Rana virescens. (After Chamberlain, Edible 

 Frogs of the United States.) 



on the back and sides and legs with dark, rectangular blotches bordered 

 with white or yellow. A glandular fold runs from the eye, along the 

 dorsal part of the side to the posterior part of the body. 



The pickerel, marsh, or tiger frog, R. palustris, closely resembles the 

 leopard frog from which it may be distinguished by the bright yellow 

 on the legs. It is the most active of the frogs and is seldom eaten. 

 Though preferring cold streams, it is often found in grass; it is rather 

 solitary in habits. 



The flesh of frogs is best in the fall and winter. Later in the 

 season, after prolonged hibernation, the body is more or less emaciated. 



Frogs are collected for the market in large numbers in California, 

 Missouri, Arkansas, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia and New York, 



