REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS 



adders basking in the month of March. This 

 observer attributes their decreasing numbers 

 in some degree to the woods and heaths, 

 their usual haunts, being more frequented by 



people than formerly, and consequently they 

 are killed in larger numbers. Mr. Alfred 

 Howard says that adders are to be found 

 on Amersham Common. 



BATRACHIANS 



ECAUDATA 



1. Common Frog. Rana temporaria,i,inn. 



This species is abundant everywhere in 

 damp places. All observers report its 

 common occurrence. 



2. Common Toad. Bufo vulgarly Laur. 



This also is of general distribution in 

 Buckinghamshire. 



3. Natterjack Toad. Bufo ca/amita, Laur. 



Mr. T. D. Phillips informs me that the 

 natterjack toad, though far from common, is 

 to be found in certain places on the north- 

 eastern borders of the county. It is locally 

 known as the ' golden-back ' from the bright 

 yellow or cream-coloured line down the centre 

 of the back. 



CAUDATA 



4. Great Crested Newt. Molge criitata, Laur. 



This appears to be abundant, though 

 probably less so than the common newt. 

 Mr. T. D. Phillips states that both these 

 ' efts ' are to be found plentifully in the ponds 

 near Woburn Sands and Aspley Heath. 



5. Common Newt. Molge vulgaris, Linn. 



Abundant in ponds and ditches throughout 

 the county. 



6. Palmated Newt. Molge pa/mata, Schn. 



This species is not of very common occur- 

 rence in the Aspley Heath neighbourhood, 

 where Mr. T. D. Phillips records its presence. 

 Mr. M. D. Hill reports that the three species 

 of Molge are to be found in the county. 



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