r.K 



TME HATUACllIA OF NOKTII AMKRICA. 



under way, (luriuff the tirst bright days of spring, the shrill cry or 

 whistle of this little croatuuc begins to enliven the colder swamps and 

 meadows of the hill country. Dillercnt individuals answer each other 

 with dilVercntly toned voices of a single note. This is exceedingly shrill 

 and loud; the muscular force employed in expelling the air from the 

 lungs seems to collapse the animal's sides till they nearly meet, while 

 the gular sac is distended with each expulsion to half the size of the 

 head and body together. They are chiefly noisy in the end of the 

 afternoon, but in shady situations or on dark days may be heard through 

 the morning aiul noon. When the breeding season is over they may 

 be still found, but with dilliculty, among fallen leaves in low places, 

 where their color admirably adapts them for concealment, or in cellars, 

 or on the ground in the woods. Not till the near approach of autumn 

 do we have evidence of their ascent into the trees. Then, when the 

 wind is casting the Jirst frosted leaves to the ground, a whistle, weaker 

 than the sjjring cry, is heard, repeated at inter\als during the day, 

 from one part of the forest to another, bearing considerable resem- 

 Idance to the note of the purple linch {('arjmdaciis jxirpitfcus), uttered 

 as it is while Hying. These voices are heard during the same season, 

 that of the IJyla being distinguishable as slightly coarser, or more like a 

 scpieak. 15oth are associated with the weak chirp of the late l>en- 

 (h-ura c<n-ona(<( as it gleans its insect food on its southern llight. These 

 are the latest sounds of autumn, and soon disapi)ear before the steady 

 advance of the ice king. 



Jli/la itivktrintjii Itolbrouk. 

 KESEKVK SEKIKS. 



IIYLA RKGILLA IJainl aii.l Ciiaid. 



Prooofdiii^.s Aciideiiiy I'liihula., vi, KiV, p. 171: (iiiiiid V. S, Kxpl. 

 Expotl., Wilkes, ISTiS-l-^CiO, III ios. l:i-l-. 



I'roportious somewhat as in II. ccrsicolor. (.'anthus rostralis distinct, 

 rather elevated; muzzle obtuse. Digital tliiatittions ratliei' small; 

 lingers free; toes half webbed or le.ss. Xares ami ehoaiue small; vom- 

 erine teeth in fascicles between tbrmer. Tongue large, nearly half free, 

 omarginate. Tympanum less than half eye. Skin above usually 



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