The Western Spadefoot 



lower posterior sides. In addition, there are lateral bands from 

 above the ear backward, and conspicuous short ones (usually 

 seven in number) on the muzzle and side of the head and neck, 

 extending from above downward to the line of the jaw. 



When several of these Spadefoot Toads are kept in captivity, 

 they protest noisily until they get accustomed to the new en- 

 vironment. The voice is low-pitched and harsh; the sounds are 

 made both by the male and female. A vocal pouch, in the case of 

 the male, expands not only at the throat region, but also at th« 

 sides — over the arm insertion and on the sides of the breast — 

 giving the creature a broad ludicrous front. 



Scaphiopus couchii was found breeding in the pools at Browns- 

 ville in July, 1905. 



THE WESTERN SPADEFOOT 



Scaphiopiis hammondii Baird' 



Identification Characteristics 



Colour: Brown or grey, with or without two (or four) curved 

 dorsal stripes of lighter colour. Tubercles tipped with red or 

 orange. Muzzle not barred vertically with light (as in Scaphiopus 

 couclii). Underparts light, unspotted. Throat of male 

 black. 



Measurements: Size medium or below, i. e. length 2 to 3 inches. 

 The total length of leg and foot exceeds very slightly the total 

 length of head and body 



Structure: Upper surface closely set with relatively coarse 

 tubercles. Skin of underparts smooth. Parotoids lacking or ob- 

 scure. Ear obscure. A fold of skin back of the angle of the jaw. 

 Outline of jaw from below, acuminate oval (more acute than in 

 Scaphiopus couchii). Muzzle short, thick, perpendicular when 

 seen in profile. (Muzzle more truncate and protruding, but less 

 thick than in Scaphiopus couchii). No canthus rostralis. 



Range: Scaphiopus hammondii Baird is widely distributed. 

 It is found both east and west of the Sierras and also has an ex- 

 tensive range north and south. It is reported from Mexico, south- 



^Spea hammondii Baird, and judging from the type spedmens in the National Museum, 

 Spea hammondii intermontana Cope, also. (Cope's Batracbia of North America.) 



59 



