8 



LIFE HISTORY AND HABITS. 



In this region the toad usually emerges from its hibernating quarters 

 during the month of April. Cold weather retards its movements, 

 but on warm days at this season the toads may be found on their way 

 to the ponds and stagnant pools, where a little later the character- 

 istic shrill cry may be heard throughout the day and evening. 

 Mating is commenced as soon as the water is reached, or even before, 

 and in a few days the long slimy " ropes " of eggs deposited by the 

 female may be found in the pools. The eggs are nearly black in 

 color and rapidly increase in size. In two weeks the young tadpoles 

 are clearly outlined and in three or four weeks the eggs hatch. The 

 vegetable detritus of the pond bottoms and the slime and algae 

 attached to sticks, |)lauts, etc., seem to be the common food of the 

 tadpole. Bosc is of the opinion that entomostraca, infusoria and 

 water insects are also devoured. Warm weather favors the growth 

 of the tadpoles and usually by July 1-15 the young toads are fully 

 developed, leave the water and spread over the fields. At this stage 

 they are exceedingly sensitive to heat and secrete themselves under 

 leaves, rubbish, stones, etc., during the day; but let a vigorous 

 shower descend and the transformation is magical. The walks, roads 

 and gardens at once become peopled with myriads of these thirsty, 

 leaping creatures, and their -sudden appearance has led to the popu- 

 lar belief that they "rain down". It is fortunate for them that 

 when young they are unable to endure solar heat, otherwise large 

 numbers would probably be destroyed by the birds which are active 

 during the day ; doubtless many are killed by the predaceous birds 

 and mammals which prowl by night. 



Authorities differ as to the age at which the toad begins to repro- 

 duce, but probably this does not take place before the fourth year. 

 The number of eggs laid by the adult female is remarkable. From 

 an average-sized female, captured during the spawning season, I 

 removed 1,279 ova and as she had already commenced laying, this 

 figure does not represent her total number of eggs. 



The longevity of the toad has been a fruitful theme of contro- 

 versy. Volumes might be filled with the stories of those found 

 imbedded in rocks, iiiasonry or trees, j'et nearly all these statements 

 lack that careful detail of attendant circumstances which is so 

 necessary to remove doubt in the mind of the reader. Of interest 

 in this connection are the experiments of Mr. Herrisant who in 1777 

 placed three toads in sealed boxes of plaster and deposited them in 



