ryl'l 



THE NATTERJACK AND THE GREEN TREE-FROG. 



which are smaller and blacker than the Frog larvae, do not assume their 

 perfect form until August or September. 



Another species of Toad, the Natterjack, is found in many parts 

 of England. It may be known from the common species by the short 

 hind legs, the more prominent eyes, the less webbed feet, the yellow 

 line along the middle of the back, and the black bands on the legs. 

 It is not so aquatic as the common Toad, haunting dry places, and sel- 

 dom approaching water except during the breeding season. Its ordi- 

 nary length is about three inches. 



This is really a pretty creature, its color being green, diversified with 

 a line of bright yellow along the back. I kept several of these Toads 

 for a long tinie, feeding them with various insects. No matter how 

 large or active the insect might be which was put into the box, sooner 

 or later the Natterjacks were sure to catch it. 



We now come to the Tree-Feogs, or Tree-Toads, so called from 

 their habits of climbing trees and attaching themselves to the branches 



or leaves by means of certain 

 discs on the toes, like those of 

 the geckos. 



The best known species is the 

 common Green Tree- Frog of 

 Europe, now so familiar from its 

 frequent introduction into fern- 

 cases and terrestrial vivaria. 



This pretty creature is found 

 mostly upon trees, clinging to 

 either their branches or leaves, 

 and being generally in the habit 

 of attaching itself to the under 

 side of the leaves, which it re- 

 sembles so strongly in color that 

 it is almost invisible even when 

 its situation is pointed out. When 

 kept in a fern-case it is fond of ascending the perpendicular glass sides, 

 and there sticking firmly and motionless, its legs drawn closely to the 

 body, and its abdomen flattened against the glass. 



Tiie food of the Tree-Frog consists almost entirely of insects, worms,' 

 and snnilar creatures, which are captured as they pass near the leaf 

 wla-reto their green foe is adhering. It is seldom seen on the ground 

 except durmg the breeding season, when it seeks the water, and there 

 deposits Its eggs nmch in the same manner as the common Frog. The 

 tadpole is hatched rather late in the season, and does not attain its 

 pertec't form until two full months have elapsed. Like the Toad, the 

 iree-i rog swallows its skin after the change. The common Tree-Frog 



The Green Tree-Frog {Hyla arborea) 



