634 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



start one of these frogs singing by concealing one's self and strik- 

 ing two pebbles together, thus imitating the note of the frogs. The 

 first one seen singing was started this way. It had been difficult 

 actually to see any of these frogs singing as they usually became 

 silent when approached. By the means described above, one that 

 was in sight was started, and the whole process observed. They 

 sit fully out of the water, hidden in grass or rushes, inflate a large 

 bubble under the chin, and work their flanks considerably while 

 rattling. 



In raking out leaves and water weeds near shore in the late 

 autumn these frogs are frequently brought out, torpid and stiff. In 

 such places they doubtless spend the winter. 



On December 3, several dead Cricket Frogs were found in a 

 cut-off east of Farrar's, and several were found hiding and in a 

 semitorpid condition under leaves at the water's edge. 



The Cricket Frog probably subsists on insects, especially the 

 small midges so abundant at the water's edge. They are some- 

 times used for bait. 



The following brief descj'iption will assist in identifying the 

 species : 



Toes broadly webbed, tipped with small disks, tympanum in- 

 distinct ; hind legs very long ; brownish above ; middle of back and 

 head bright green or reddish brown ; a dark triangle between the 

 eyes ; sides with three oblique blotches ; a white line from eye to 

 arm. Lengih 1| inches. 



11. SWAMP TREE-FROG 



PSEUDACRIS FERIARUM (Baird) 



The Swamp Tree-frog is common throughout all parts of the 

 eastern United States where there are ponds, swamps or creeks. 

 Its presence is usually made known by sound rather than by sight, 

 as the frog, though quite noisy, is both shy and inconspicuous and 

 easily overlooked. 



At Lake Maxinkuckee this frog is probably common, scattered 

 about in the marshy regions surrounding the lake. It is not often 

 seen, however, and only a few examples were secured. One was 

 obtained on Aubeenaubeo Creek July 8, 1899, three about the shore 

 of Lake Maxinkuckee July 28, 1900, one in Norris Inlet August 8, 

 1900, and one in Farrar's pond at the edge of the lake below 

 Farrar's October 8, 1907. 



A few days after the first high-pitched "peep, peep" of Picker- 

 ing's Tree-frog has sounded from the marshes, the announcement 



