606 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



but they most delight in low, sandy, somewhat grassy beaches. A 

 favorite basking place of this kind is on the south side of Outlet 

 Bay near the wagon bridge. Here a score or more could often be 

 seen. They would crawl out upon the shore about 8 or 9 o'clock 

 in the morning, or earlier if the day were bright and warm, and 

 there they would remain for many hours. They usually rest 

 quietly basking in the sun, occasionally moving about a little. 

 From the amount of time they spend basking during the day, it 

 is supposed that they feed principally at night. 



The basking ground along the south shore of Outlet Bay was 

 so much used that the grass and weeds were much worn off by the 

 turtles, and a great many shed scutes were to be found there. 

 A dense growth of algae occurred near shore in which the turtles 

 would hide when frightened. On April 23 a Map Turtle of medium 

 size was seen basking, sitting crosswise on the back of a somewhat 

 larger Painted Turtle. 



The time of mating was not positively observed. On October 

 4, and later in the fall, they appeared frequently in pairs walking 

 about on the bottom of the lake, or a small one following a large 

 one about. On April 27 small ones were also noted following large 

 ones about as if about to mate. As a pair of musk turtles were 

 observed actually mating in the autumn, it is probable that the 

 other turtles, including this species, occasionally do so at that time. 

 They begin laying their eggs at least as early as June 12. They 

 do not go far from the water, but dig their nests in the sandy shores 

 or banks near the lake. They even sometimes attempt to make 

 nests in rather stiff clay, or in rather hard ground. On June 18 

 one was seen in the road back of the Miller cottage, digging a hole 

 for a nest. The hind feet were used in digging. On June 23 one 

 was seen on her nest between the ties of the railroad south of the 

 ice-houses. After the turtle had left, the place was examined and 

 11 eggs were found. Occasionally an egg may be dropped in the 

 water or on the shore where there is no nest. The eggs are ellipti- 

 cal-cylindrical, about l^xf inch, the shell being quite soft and 

 flexible. 



This turtle continues basking later in the fall than any other 

 species. On November 2 and 3 quite a number were seen on the 

 stones along the east side of the lake, and one was seen basking 

 as late as November 22. Late in autumn when the air gets chilly 

 these turtles, when basking on stones or boards, assume a pe- 

 culiar position. The legs, instead of being drawn up toward the 

 body, are stretched out straight and stiff and the turtle on being 

 approached tumbles rather than scrambles into the water. The 



