Reptiles 



Some of the fresh-water turtles make their meals of 

 frogs, and experience has taught them that their prey is 

 in the habit of sitting by the edge of their pond, facing 

 the shore, that they may snap up any insects that may 

 be unwary enough to settle on the plants fringing the 

 water. The turtles approach the frogs quietly from 

 behind, and seize them before they have time to regain 

 the deeper water, in which they would be able to make 

 good their escape. 



Towards the middle of the summer the female turtle 

 devotes herself to maternal affairs. At this period she 

 wanders far from her beloved water until she finds a 

 situation where the soil is soft and muddy. In the mud 

 she wallows and digs in leisurely fashion till almost 

 buried, an operation which may occupy at least a week. 

 Next she lays several dozen quite round, white eggs, then, 

 pulling herself out of the slough by means of her powerful 

 fore-legs, the mud slides back from her polished shell, 

 leaving the eggs well covered, and her maternal duties 

 are at an end, for she takes no more thought of her brood. 



The turtle is no fool, for he knows many tricks and 

 dodges. In deep water he can escape from most of his 

 enemies by swimming ; in shallow water he is at a dis- 

 advantage, so what does he do when danger threatens ? 

 He simply makes for the muddy bottom of his retreat 

 and there causes such a stir that the water becomes 

 cloudy and he is lost to view. As the mud particles 

 settle down, the turtle keeps a sharp look-out for his 

 enemy. Should he have taken his departure all is well ; 

 on the other hand, if danger be still present, he stirs up 

 another mud cloud and in its shelter rapidly scrambles 

 to another hiding-place. His action is similar to that 

 of the cuttle-fish under similar circumstances, though his 

 means of escape is effected in a different manner. Sea- 

 weeds grow on the backs of some turtles ; in consequence 

 they become akin to sea-washed rocks in appearance 

 and are well hidden from their enemies. 



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