THE HAWK'S-BILL TURTLES. 149 



36, THE HAWK'S-BILL TURTLES. 



North American species. — These two Turtles, the former inhabiting the Atlantic and the 

 latter the Pacific Ocean, were for a long period erroneously considered identical. But though 

 different, the distinctions which separate them are of a technical nature, and we can readily treat 

 of them together. They are commonly known under the names '' Hawk's-bill " and "Tortoise- 

 shell" Turtles (Eretmochelys). 



Eange of the Hawk's-bill Tcrtles. — The Atlantic species, JE. imbricata, occurs on the 

 southern coasts of Florida and of the States bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, and from thence 

 its range extends southward over the Gulf, among the West Indies, northeastward to the Bermudas, 

 and as far south as Guiana and Brazil. Holbrook records as an unusual occurrence the presence 

 of a Turtle of this species on the shores of Carolina, whither, he says, it was probably driven by a 

 heavy storm. ^ The Pacific species, U. squamata, occurs on our western coast, and is common also 

 in the Chinese and Japanese waters, and in the Indian Ocean generally. 



Size. — The Hawk's-bill is smaller than either the Loggerhead or the Green Turtle. It is 

 generally considered that a Turtle must have a weight of about one hundred and sixty pounds 

 before its "shell is of suitable thickness to be used in the arts, but it often attains to at least twice 

 that weight, and sometimes even approaches in weight the Green Turtle." 



Food and habits.— The habits of the Hawk's-bill Turtle do not differ essentially from those 

 of the Loggerhead. Its diet is strictly vegetable, but it is said to be much more fierce than the 

 carnivorous but harmless Loggerhead. It bites severely, and occasions painful wounds, so that 

 the fishermen have to be on their guard against its attacks. On our shores its breeding season 

 extends from the latter part of April to the first of July. It usually selects a gravelly rather than 

 a sandy beach in which to deposit its eggs. 



Economic value: Grades op '■ shell." — The Hawk's-bill Turtle is chiefly valued for the 

 horn-like scales or plates which cover its bony shell. These form the "tortoise-shell" of com- 

 merce. The back of the Turtle is covered with three rows of plates, a central and two lateral 

 rows. The central row contains five plates and each of the lateral rows four plates; in addition, 

 the margin of the shell is occupied by twenty-five small plates. The plates of the three rows 

 covering the back are known as "blades," and collectively as the "head" of shell. The small 

 marginal plates are denominated "feet," or "noses." These, together with the thinner plates of 

 the central row, are also sometimes known as "hoofs and claws." The plates which have the 

 highest value are the two middle ones on each lateral row, since they have the greatest thickness 

 and size. The colors of tortoise-shell which are preferred are mingled "golden yellow, reddish 

 jasper, and white, or brown approaching black." A variety of shell in which a large amount of 

 white occurs is also much esteemed, especially by the Chinese. Such shell is known as " white" 

 head or "blonde" shell. Plates in which the patches of color are nearly of equal size, and occuj)y 

 nearly the same position on both sides, are also highly valued. The largest Turtle does not furnish 

 more than fifteen or sixteen pounds of tortoise-shell. "The best tortoise-shell comes from the 

 Indian Archipelago, where Singapore is the principal port for its exportation. It is also sent 

 from the West Indies, from the Gallapagos Islands, situated on the west coast of South America, 

 and from Mauritius, Cape Verde, and Canary Islands." 



The plates on the plastron, or under part of the shell, are golden yellow in color. Articles 

 made from them are much admired in some localities. It is said that combs of this color are 

 eagerly sought for by Spanish ladies, who will readily pay fliteen or twenty dollars for them. 



' Holbrook : North American Herpetology, ii, 1842, p. 42. 



