234 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
AVP EL iB aAY 
Destruction of Toads in the Breeding Season.—For many years 
past I have been at a loss to account for the great destruction of 
Toads that takes place during their spawning period, and I should be 
glad to hear if it has yet been satisfactorily proved what preys so 
freely upon them, and to what extent such occurs in other localities. 
Throughout practically the whole course of the River Ivel, in Bedford- 
shire, Toads spawn in considerable numbers, and during the present 
year I made several visits to this locality for further investigation. 
Altogether I must have examined the remains of many hundreds of 
Toads, and in every instance the victim had been taken some few feet 
away from the water’s edge, invariably eviscerated, and the softer 
fleshy portions and spawn devoured, and frequently some of the larger 
bones bared of their flesh. The skin, with head and feet attached, was 
always discarded. Such remains were usually singly, but two or 
more together were not infrequent. The prey having been taken on 
to the grassy bank of the stream, tracking was very difficult, and in 
only one instance could I find any excrement that might have been 
left by the depredator. I found similar remains of the Frog, but in a 
few instances only. My friend Mr. C. Oldham informs me that he 
has seen similar remains of Toads about the sides of the marlpits in 
Cheshire, and in one instance those of the Great Crested Newt.— 
J. STEELE Exuiott (Dowles Manor, Shropshire). 
Batrachians.—Can any reader of ‘ The Zoologist’ assist by original 
suggestion, or kindly refer me to any published account of the reason 
for Frogs and Toads making merry, and vocally proclaiming their 
whereabouts, after and not before or during the period of sexual 
activity ? Also, do both sexes croak, and, if one only, which ?— 
M. C. H. Brrp (Brunstead Rectory, Stalham, Norwich). 
Pt 
