Scaphiopus Couchii 



but on close examination is seen to be finely warty. While at- 

 tached firmly in the region of the head, it is loosely attached on 

 much of the body, and wrinkles at every turn. (See Figs. 

 1 6 and i8.) When the Spadefoot is in resting position, the loose 

 skin of the upper arm extends in a fold down over the lower arm 

 and hand. (See Fig. 13.) 



The fingers are thickened at their tips; there is a black, horny 

 thickening of the upper surfaces of the two inner fingers. (See Fig. 

 15.) The foot is depressed, and the skin covering it is thick and 

 somewhat horny in character, converting the foot into a living 

 spade. At the base of the shortest toe is a long, black, horny 

 spur to aid in digging. The same black horny substance is seen 

 at the tip of this inner toe. (See Fig. 19.) 



Except during the breeding season, the Spadefoot is found 

 only by accident. It sits in its burrow, showing only its peculiar 

 golden eyes at the doorway. The turnip-shaped burrow is about 

 six inches long and somewhat oblique in position. The earth on 

 the interior is hard and smooth, packed into this condition by a 

 continued energetic turning-about on the part of the owner of 

 the burrow. The Spadefoot is solitary in habit, and will not tol- 

 erate the presence of a neighbour in the burrow. 



SCAPHIOPUS COUCHII, BAIRD 



Identification Characteristics 



Colour: Variable; green, olive, or brown — bright or dull — 

 of light or dark shade. Streaked or banded more or less irregu- 

 larly with light (bright yellow or dull yellowish). These bands 

 may be continuous and symmetrically placed, producing a regu- 

 lar pattern, or may be so irregular and broken as to give the 

 appearance of spots only. Small tubercles of the anterior back 

 and head are black; those of the sides, posterior back, and tibia 

 may be yellow. Buttocks with white tubercles. Iris metallic 

 yellow, sometimes reddish. Underparts light, skin transparent 

 and purplish posteriorly. Hands and feet light-coloured. (See 

 Colour Plate II, also Figs. 20 to 25.) 



Measurements: Size below medium; i. e. length 2 to 2^ inches. 

 Head f inch long (specimen of 2 J inch length). Space between 

 eyes equals or slightly exceeds width of eyelid. Leg short; length 



57 



