THE CHANGEABLE TREE FROG. 231 



THE SAVANNAH CRICKET FROG. 



Both in the Northern and Southern States we shall find a 

 merry little creature, with a voice greatly resembling that of 

 the cricket. Living near the borders of stagnant pools, it 

 frequently takes its seat on the large leaves of water-lilies 

 and other aquatic plants ; being able, by curious discs on its 

 toes, to crawl easily over their smooth surfaces. 



It is among the smallest of its tribe, measuring only one 

 and a half inches in length. It is of a greenish-brown, varie- 

 gated with streaks of green and white, the under surface 

 being of a yellowish-gray, tinged with pink, and the legs 

 banded. Its body is slender, \\dth the hind-legs very long, 

 enabling it to take enormous leaps to escape danger. 



THE CHANGEABLE TREE FROG. 



Throughout all parts of the continent we shall find a curi- 

 ous little toad, about two inches in length, which possesses the 

 nature of the chameleon- in being able to change its colour 

 according to the tints of the object on which it rests. By 

 this means, so completely does it assimilate its hue to the 

 ground, that it often escapes observation. The changes of 

 colour it thus rapidly passes through are indeed remarkable. 

 From a nearly perfect white, it can assume every intermediate 

 shade to a dark brown. It has a very toad-like look, and 

 possesses skin glands which secrete an acrid fluid. Thus it 

 is able, when attacked, to defend itself, as well as escape ob- 

 servation. 



It may frequently be found on old plum-trees, where it 

 climbs in search of the insects which there congregate. We 

 shall frequently hear its voice, especially before rain, for it 



