SAND DUNES AND SALT MARSHES 



but its shape easily distinguishes it from the 

 common rock crab. Whether it has estab- 

 lished itself firmly here or has made but a 

 transient extension from its more southern 

 home I do not know. 



Our own common rock crab, notwithstand- 

 ing its name, is an abundant frequenter of 

 these sandy shores, both on the outside 

 beaches and in the more sheltered estuaries. 

 It is fully as lively as its crazy cousin, and 

 at dead low tide one can quickly pick up a 

 basket full in the shallow waters if he is 

 skilled in avoiding the nipping claws— other- 

 wise it will be a long and painful process. 

 It has a habit of burrowing in the sand of the 

 beach, where it remains concealed, with the 

 exception of a narrow crevice in which may 

 be seen its watchful eyes. The gulls often 

 find them there, pull them out and batter them 

 to pieces. They are good eating — almost 

 equal to the lobster, which is comparatively 

 rare here. 



Occasionally one notices a rougher, more 

 massive looking crab, otherwise similar to the 

 rock crab. This is the Jonah crab, the origin 

 of whose suggestive name is to me unknown. 



The sea-urchin, lover of rocky bottoms, is 

 258 



