412 



VEUTEBKATA. 





THE NATTER-JACK TOAD. 



Genus IIYLODES : Hijlodes. — To this belongs Pickering's Hylodes, H. Pickeringi ; brown 

 above, the color, however, apparently varying at the will of the animal; feeds on small flies; 

 length of head and body one inch ; including the legs three inches. It is found on the leaves 

 of Indian corn, and in grape-houses under the leaves of plants, during the heats of summer; 

 ranges from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania. 



The Cricket IIylodes, H. (/rijllus — called Peeper and Cricket-Frog in New York, and Savannah- 

 Cricket at the South — is a lively, noisy species, frequenting moist wooded places, and is often 

 seen on aquatic plants. It is never found on trees, and cannot adhere to the under side of i 

 smooth surfiiccs. The H. ocularis is a small species found at the South. 



Genus IIYLA : Hgla. — This includes the Northern Tree-Toad, H. versicolor^ two inches 



long; body robust, eyes large, color chang- ' 

 ing from gray to green at the will of the 

 animal. It feeds on insects, and lives almost 

 exclusively on trees, and during damp 

 weather is particularly clamorous. The toes 

 terminate in round pellets, which operate 

 like a boy's sucker, and enable it to adhere 

 to smooth surfaces, as the leaves and bark 

 of trees, even with its back downward. It 

 is shy, and takes long leaps, and often 

 alights on perpendicular objects. It possesses 

 great ventriloquial powers, and fifequently 

 deceives the ear of a person who is in pur- 

 suit of it. This, with its changes of color, 

 which assimilate it to the complexion of 

 the object on which it rests, renders its cap- 

 ture difficult. Found from Maine to Virginia, and in some of the Western States. 



The Squirrel Tree-Toad, H. squirella, is of a brownish or light ash-color, and is found under 

 logs and the bark of decayed trees. It is a southern species. Length, one inch and a quarter. 

 The H. femoralis, H. delitescens, and If. viridis are found m the Southern States. 



THE PIPID^. 



This family includes the genus PIPA : Pipa, of which the Surinam Toad, P. Americana, is 

 a noted example. This is without a tongue, and of a hideous appearance. At the breeding 

 season the back of the female exhibits a number of small pits ; into these the male collects the 



THE SQDIRREL TREE-TOAD. 



