170 ANIMAL LIFE OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



a little more than half an inch long, in eleven or twelve weeks. 

 It is five years before they reach maturity ; but the full period 

 of life is not known. In old age they frequently succumb to the 

 attacks of flesh-eating flies whose eggs are deposited on the 

 back of the Toad, and the small maggots entering by eye or 

 nostril devour the brain and eyes. 



The Common Toad is found all over England, Wales, and 

 Scotland ; but Ireland appears never to have had it, in spite of 

 the legend that St. Patrick banished it with the Snakes. It 

 occurs all over Europe, through Siberia, the Amoor, and the 

 Himalayas to China ; also on the further side of the Mediter- 

 ranean, in Morocco, and Algeria. 



Natterjack (Bufo calamity Laurent). 



Although in general appearance the Natterjack may be said 

 to resemble the Common Toad, a close inspection reveals 

 differences that at once distinguish it as a separate species. It 

 is smaller than the common species and its legs are not only 

 actually but also proportionately shorter. But the narrow 

 yellow line that runs along the centre of the head and back is 

 the most distinctive mark, and has suggested one of its local 

 names Golden-back. Running Toad is the name by which it 

 is known in the Fens, and this is a good descriptive name, for 

 owing to the shortness of the hind limbs the Natterjack does 

 not hop. It runs for a short distance, then stops for a little, and 

 runs on again. 



The maximum length of head and body is three inches, and 

 there is no marked difference in size between the sexes ; but 

 the male develops nuptial pads on his first three fingers, and 

 he has a large internal vocal sac whose use causes a great 

 bulging of his bluish throat. The skin, though warty, is 

 smooth ; its ground colour is pale yellowish-brown tending to 

 olive, with clouding and distant spots of a darker brown or 



