158 NATURE-STUDY 



tail gradually disappears, the young toads become more and 

 more terrestrial, crawling up for a time out of the water. 

 A visit to the ponds and marshes about the beginning of 

 July will perhaps show many young toads leaving the water 

 for the land. They have not yet become wrinkled and warty. 

 After the laying season the old toads return to the land. 

 Their habits are chiefly nocturnal. They like to burrow into 



FIG. 34. Protective Coloration of the Toad. 



the soft soil during the day4o escape the heat of the sun, or 

 else lie concealed under a large-leaved plant, a board, or 

 other protection. Toward evening, however, they leave 

 their hiding places and hop about the lawns and gardens in 

 search of food. This consists of worms, caterpillars, beetles, 

 flies, and other insects, slugs, sowbugs, etc. These they 

 catch, like the frogs, with their long extensible tongues. 

 Catch a toad and bring it to school. It soon becomes tame 

 if kindly treated. Set it on the floor or desk, and place worms, 



