The Wit of the Wild 



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instantaneously and sometimes gradually, or 

 whether he cannot avoid the alteration of his 

 coat if he wishes to, it serves to make him almost 

 invisible to his enemies, such as birds and snakes, 

 who may easily overlook what seems nothing 

 but a knot or loose scale of bark. This power 

 of hiding is, indeed, his only protection, for he 

 has no weapons of defense, and much less agility 

 in escaping than have many of his relatives. It 

 answers the purpose so well, however, that it is 

 not surprising to find tree-frogs exceedingly 

 numerous in all parts of the country, serving 

 everywhere to keep down the hordes of insects 

 that dwell among the foliage and on the bark 

 of trees and bushes, which always threaten to 

 increase beyond control. 



In the autumn, when the nights begin to grow 

 chill, the leaves fade and fall, and the short life 

 of the insect world comes to an end, these little 

 frogs grow quiet, and, descending from their 

 perches to the ground, seek a snug, warm berth 

 in which to take their long winter sleep. Some 

 creep beneath the drifting dead leaves, and 

 squirm their bodies, tail foremost, as deeply into 

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