24 HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



to hide in the mud. Sometimes the ponds dry up and the 

 tadpoles die for want of water. But so many eggs are laid 

 that there are always a great many that escape all perils 

 and develop into the frogs which are better fitted to hold 

 their own in the great struggle in nature. Their life is, in- 

 deed, not without trials. Small mammals, many of the 

 larger birds, snakes, bass, and pickerel are always hunting 

 for frog steak. Scarcely is the frog music heard in ponds 

 and pools, when from every town in the land an army of 

 small boys with murderous-looking spears takes the field 

 against poor froggy ; every pool within walking distance of 

 the youngsters is invaded, and "Frog Legs, 25^," appears 

 on the bill of fare in every restaurant. This warfare against 

 them in the breeding season has thinned out the greencoats 

 around our cities. A little later in the season fishermen use 

 thousands of frogs for bait, and when fall comes, schools 

 and colleges demand them for purposes of study. 



Thus we see that his miseries never end, his enemies are 

 always with him. And yet he survives. How does he ? How 

 can he ?. Let us see. 



His brown or green spotted skin blends perfectly with 

 his surroundings. As long as he sits still, you can hardly 

 discover him among grasses, leaves, and sticks. He sees 

 and hears well, although he has no outer ears. A delicate 

 membrane behind the eyes covers the ear opening. As 

 soon as he perceives any possible enemy coming too close, 

 he bounds into the water, where he conceals himself in the 

 mud or under plants. If water is not near, he hurries 

 towards tall grass, weeds, or brush. How are his legs fit 

 for jumping ? How for swimming ? His favorite terri- 

 tory is the borderland between high land and deep water. 

 Although he is a fine swimmer, he always stays near the 

 shore. Why? You have seen how the frog eludes and 

 escapes his enemies. Has he any means to fight them ? 



