28 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



in the state of New York, prohibiting the collecting, 

 for market purposes, of this species and the box turtle 

 (Cistudo Carolina). 



Considerably smaller, Muhlenberg's Turtle, C. 

 muhlenhergii, is distinct in being blackish, with a vivid 

 orange patch on each side of the head. Few specimens 

 have a shell longer than three and a half inches. 

 Marked with faint concentric grooves, the general effect 

 of the upper shell is black. Closely examined, it may 

 appear marked with obscure, reddish, radiating blotches. 



Restricted in its habitat to southern New York, New 

 Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, this singular little 

 turtle is comparatively rare; nor is it generally dis- 

 tributed over the small area it inhabits. Most of the 

 writer's specimens have been caught on Staten Island, 

 N. Y. They were found along marshy borders of small, 

 clear streams. In captivity the species displays an 

 ability to feed while out of the water, eating different 

 kinds of fruit; it is also carnivorous. 



Owing to its black shell and head, the Common 

 Spotted Turtle, C. guttatus, bears a superficial re- 

 semblance to JMuhlenberg's Turtle. It will be seen, 

 however, to lack the large and brilliant orange spot on 

 each side of the head, while the back is generously 

 sprinkled with round, yellow spots. The upper shell is 

 quite smooth; when the turtle is fuUy mature the shell 

 is about four inches long. 



Ranging from southern Canada to South Carolina 

 and westward to Ohio this abundant species is generally 

 familiar. In fresh-water bogs it exhibits a seemingly 

 social spirit. Certain miniature islands of bunch grass 

 are matted down by clusters of turtles that go there 

 regularly to bask and an old log may be so thickly 

 covered that several turtles have been forced to roost 



