THE HATCHING OF THE TURTLES 135 



began to crack. Instead of pipping in the 

 manner of hen's eggs when the young chicks 

 are hatching, they opened across one side, as 

 can be seen in the picture. More sand was 



If disturbed, she would try to hide by drawing her head as far back as possible 

 into her shell. 



then removed, so that the Naturalist and the 

 boys could see what was going on. As soon as 

 an egg cracked open, a little nose would be 

 pushed out, and there Baby Turtle would sit 

 for hours. Not the slightest haste was mani- 

 fested, and the watchers at times became tired 

 of waiting so long for any new action. After 

 waiting for a long time one foot would be 

 pushed through the hole, and after another 



