ioo Practical Zoology. 



to preserve the original size of the snake. Lay the prepared skin 

 on a shelf till it is dry. Keep it in a dust-proof case. 



Topics for Reports. The Cobra. Other Venomous Snakes. Do 

 Snakes swallow their Young ? The Python. The Boa Constrictor. 



FIELD STUDY OF TURTLES. 



The student soon learns that the common pond and mud turtles 

 are shy creatures. Along ponds and streams one may see them 

 on logs and stumps. But one must go quietly and cautiously, or 

 he will scare them all into the water. On which sense do they 

 rely, sight or hearing, to discover enemies ? Watch their method 

 of getting into the water. Do they soon return, if the observer is 

 quiet? What seems to be their object in thus perching on logs? 

 Find out, if you can, what they eat, and whether they eat on land 

 or in water. Do they require much or little food ? 



Can you find where and how they lay their eggs? Do they 

 care for the eggs? How long does it take the eggs to hatch? 

 Do the parents care for the young? What are the prevailing 

 colors of turtles? How do these colors compare with their sur- 

 roundings ? 



STUDY OF A LIVE TURTLE. 



Watch a turtle walk on a floor. Does it walk or crawl ? Is the 

 body lifted above the surface or does it drag? How are the limbs 

 used? Put the turtle in water and find out how it swims. Does 

 it use the front feet alternately or at the same time ? Are the feet 

 webbed? Does it swim rapidly or slowly? Does the turtle dive? 

 If there is mud at the bottom, does it attempt to burrow into or 

 bury itself in it? 



Feed the turtle and find what it likes best. Does it eat little 

 or much ? Do turtles become tame in captivity ? Do they recog- 

 nize those who care for them, and distinguish them from strangers ? 



Can you see how the turtle breathes ? Can it stay under water 

 long? 



What parts of the turtle can be protruded beyond the margin 



