640 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



The Leopard Frog is an entirely harmless creature, and is of 

 great service in helping keep down hordes of insects. 



This frog can be easily distinguished from any other of the 

 frogs about the lake except the Pickerel Frog, which it resembles 

 considerably, but from which it can be told by the absence of yel- 

 low on the under part of the hind legs, the absence of any marked 

 color, the blotches being rather rounded than square, and black 

 in color instead of dark brown. The following description will 

 assist in identifying it : 



Brownish or green, with irregular black blotches edged with 

 whitish, these mostly in two irregular rows on back, usually 2 

 spots between eyes; legs barred above, belly pale, glandular folds 

 large; head rather elongate. Length 2.75 inches. 



There are two distinct shades of ground color among these 

 frogs ; some are rather dark brown, while others are bright green. 



15. PICKEREL FROG 



RANA PALUSTRIS Le Contc 



The Pickerel or Swamp Frog has a rather narrow distribution 

 compared with its near relative, the Leopard Frog, it being con- 

 fined to the eastern part of the United States. It is not common 

 about Lake Maxinkuckee ; only 15 examples were collected. These 

 were found in various situations, four of them being obtained at 

 Lost Lake, one by Farrar's, three or four in Lake Maxinkuckee and 

 four or five in Aubeenaubee Creek. One was found along the 

 railroad between the lakes. Dr. Hay, in his report on the reptiles 

 and batrachians of Indiana, reports two specimens in the State 

 Normal School collection from Lake Maxinkuckee. 



Very little was learned about its habits. It probably has nearly 

 the same habits as the Leopard Frog. Its rank odor probably 

 protects it from some enemies that prey on the Leopard Frog, and 

 would prevent it being used for food, even if it were common 

 enough to be caught for that purpose. 



During the spring of 1901, a woodsman living near the lake 

 gave information that he often heard proceeding from the forest 

 ponds a tremendous quacking like that of many ducks. A visit 

 was made to ponds east of the lake with the result that the same 

 sound was heard, but the perpetrators of the noise were too shy 

 to allow themselves to bo seen. It was thought that the noise was 

 made by the Pickerel Fi'og, which may sing under the water like 

 the leopard frog, and thus escape detection. 



The Pickerel Frog may usually be readily distinguished from 



