THE NATTEKJACK. 133 



is recorded, on the authority of Sir William 

 Jardine, as occurring " in a marsh on the coasts 

 of the Solway Firth, almost brackish, and within 

 a hundred yards of spring- tide high- water mark. 

 It lies between the village of Carse and Sother- 

 ness Point, where I have found them, " he adds, 

 "for six or seven miles along the coast. They 

 are very abundant." In Ireland, Dr. Carrington 

 verifies that they are to be found at Ross Bay, 

 and a correspondent of the Field, at Eoscrea, 

 writes * : 



Mr. Tate sent me from England three dozen natterjacks. 

 I sent two to the Zoological Gardens, Dublin, and gave the 

 others their liberty about the place. We occasionally meet 

 with some of them, and they walk about rapidly, and can 

 climb anything in their way, in a most extraordinary manner, 

 reminding one of the movements of a lizard. I kept four of 

 the " natterjacks " for a few days. They lived upon worms 

 and slugs, and whenever I uncovered them, they immediately 

 concealed themselves amongst the damp moss given them 

 for a bed, and feigned death. 



In form this species is very similar to the toad, 

 but may be easily distinguished by its difference 

 in colour. It is of an olive tint, darker on the 

 flanks, and with a definite pale yellowish stripe, 

 or line, running down the back. The under 

 parts are yellowish with black spots, and dark 

 bands occur on the legs. The warts, with which 



* The Field, June 24th, 1865. 



