156 NATURE-STUDY 



back dotted over with dark spots not arranged in straight 

 rows, and white or yellowish underneath. There are several 

 dark bands across the thighs. 



The Brown or Pickerel Frog is brownish on the back with 

 squarish dark spots in rows. 



The Common Tree Frog is green, brown, or gray in color, 

 with irregular darker streaks down the back. It lives on 

 trees, shrubs, and vines. Owing to its mimicry of the back- 

 ground it is hard to find. Its chirping is often heard at 

 night. 



The Swamp Tree Frog is a small frog, grayish in color, with 

 three dark stripes running along the back. It is found in 

 marshes. 



These tree frogs are charming little creatures and make 

 interesting school-room pets. Place them in a moist cage 

 and provide them with a rock or wooden perch, such as the 

 branch of a tree. The changes of color in the common 

 tree frog can be nicely seen by substituting perches of 

 different color, green, gray, and brown. Feed the animals 

 with worms, spiders, and insects. Observe the small disk- 

 like pads at the ends of the toes and fingers. Observe the 

 frog clinging to the vertical wall of the cage, and notice how 

 the little pads are pressed against the surface. They act as 

 suckers and enable the frog to climb. The soft, moist under- 

 side also helps the animal to stick on. 



The Common Toad is another interesting animal, and 

 should be compared with the frog as to structure and habits. 

 Toads are found in gardens and in the woods. They are 

 very unlike their relatives, the frogs, in that they live in dry 

 places. They keep their skin moist, however, by secretion. 

 The skin is wrinkled and warty-looking, though there are no 



