324: RAMBLES ABOUT HOME. 



that it had previously explored. It is scarcely necessary 

 to entertain the suggestion that perhaps snakes formerly 

 did not eat bull-frogs, as that is nonsense ; but strange 

 indeed is it that Kalm should have been in any doubt 

 about the matter. 



It is, on the other hand, all too true " that they are 

 very palatable," and to this unfortunate circumstance 

 must be ascribed the fact that these great goggle-eyed 

 frogs, that lend such a charm to quiet ponds and hidden 

 swampy hollows, are now comparatively scarce. 



Out of the meadows and into the woods, away from 

 the muddy ponds and stagnant puddles, to the leafy 

 haunts of squirrels and chipmunks; and here, if it be 

 even a little damp, we may chance upon another frog, 

 which in color, habits, and disposition is unlike all the 

 others. I mean the little brown wood-frog. It is liter- 

 ally quick as a flash, and for some reason has a great 

 dread of mankind ; at least, it takes wonderful leaps, and 

 plenty of them, whenever any one happens to come too 

 near. I know of no harder task than to chase a wood- 

 frog over uneven ground. 



Except in April, when they congregate at some neigh- 

 boring pond and lay their eggs, these frogs frequent the 

 woods the year through, feeding on flies and such small 

 fry until frost comes, when they burrow some two feet 

 deep in damp earth, and there they remain until the 

 weather has become fairly spring-like. 



By people who ought to know better these wood- 

 frogs are confounded with the tree-toads. "Why two 

 creatures so unlike should be mistaken for one another 

 passeth comprehension ; yet, in spite of all the zoological 

 literature, and thousands of school-teachers, such is the 

 fact. "Worse than this : I know of a lad, with a correct 



