TREE-FROG — SALAMANDER 169 



and is unknown in the treeless marshes of the north German plains, or at any rate 

 in those of Schleswig-Holstein and Oldenburg. 



In summer tree-frogs are to be found in meadows and fields traversed by 

 ditches and watercourses interspersed with stagnant water, in swamps and the 

 outskirts of woods, in gardens and parks, where, according to the nature of the 

 vegetation, they frequent trees, bushes, high reeds, grass, growing corn, and beds of 

 cabbages, or other garden plants. During rough winds, or in unfavourable weather 

 they seek refuge, however, under stones, in holes in walls, or in hollows of trees. In 

 summer they will take to the water, although only occasionally. On the other 

 hand, when spawning-time is over, they linger for a few weeks in the neighbour- 

 hood of water, which they enter in the evening, when their voice may be heard 

 from among the sedges. Tree-frogs are not day-sleepers ; on the contrary, they 

 come out into the sunshine, and are awake, even when apparently sitting most 

 listlessly, to any flying or creeping insect, but only at dusk do they become really 

 lively. Then they hop and climb about cheerfully, and at that time may be heard 

 their astonishingly loud croaking, issuing from the widely distended throat. It is 

 audible half a mile off, resounding most vigorously and loudly on fine evenings in 

 spring and early summer during the mating-time, when frequently hundreds of 

 these frogs assemble in one pond. The croak is a piercing, shrill monotone, clear 

 and abrupt, which may be represented by the syllables, epp, epp, epp. In jumping 

 after their prey, tree-frogs display great dexterity and sureness of purpose. If 

 they miss their footing when jumping, any leaf or branch suffices to save them 

 from falling ; for as soon as they press anything with the balls of their toe-tips 

 the sucking-discs immediately afford a secure hold. These tiny frogs can even 

 climb up and down or across perpendicular panes of glass without perceptible 

 effort ; and they excel not only in climbing and jumping, but also in swimming. 

 On the approach of a real or supposed enemy they remain quiet and motionless 

 squatting on a leaf of like colour to themselves. When they decide on flight, they 

 do so unexpectedly, and remain quiet in another place after one or two immense 

 jumps, thus rendering useless further search. Tree-frogs, which in genial springs 

 appear as early as March, usually mate in May, croak sometimes in September, and 

 soon after retire to their winter-quarters in crevices of walls, hollows in the 

 ground, and the like. They make favourite pets, but are apparently not the safe 

 weather-prophets they were formerly considered. They may be fed with flies and 

 other insects, but are more accustomed to weevils. Very soon and easily they become 

 tame and confiding, take food from the hand, learn to know when they are called, 

 and also show some sense of locality in looking for their cage, whether they have left 

 it of their own accord or otherwise. They also notice the place where the pot 

 from which they are fed is kept, and with careful attention will live not only for 

 years, but even for decades, in captivity. 



Spotted Among the tailed amphibians of Europe the largest and most con- 



saiamander. spicuous are the salamanders, which, however, are very local in distribu- 

 tion. The spotted salamander {Salamandra maculosa), which is represented in 

 Corsica, Algeria, and Portugal respectively by local races, is found in central 

 Europe and the Mediterranean countries ; in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain ; on several 



