1 882.] On the Habits of the " Savannah Cricket Frog." 70; 



'SAVANNAH 



BY CHARLES C. ABBOTT. 



ONE of the earliest indications of returning spring- is the clear, 

 bell-like note of the little batrachian, called by many the 

 "Savannah cricket," known in New Jersey as the "peeper," and 

 scientifically designated Acris crepitans Baird. 



Abundant as is this batrachian, but little seems to be known of 

 its habits, and certain misstatements concerning them have been 

 long in print, and have never, that I am aware, been either ques- 

 tioned or contradicted. 



During the month of April, 1881, I had excellent opportuni- 

 ties for observing these little creatures, and finding that but little 

 had been recorded concerning them, availed myself of my 

 chance, and watched them closely for several weeks. 



While a network of ditches in a low meadow were being re- 

 paired and cleaned, I followed the workmen closely, for the pur- 

 pose of gathering any novelties that might be thrown out with 

 the mud and dead leaves that had accumulated in the ditch- 

 bottoms. Much of interest was found, particularly a number of 

 the rare " Muhlenberg" turtles ; but the one striking feature of 

 the locality, at this time, was the wonderful abundance of little 

 " rattlers " {Acris crepitans), as I prefer to call them. They were 

 in full song, and when not disturbed, made more noise than all 

 the frogs in the neighborhood together. They were quite timid, 

 ,vere straightway "mum." 

 until about May 1st, when 

 their eggs were deposited in little masses, attached to the blades 

 of coarse grass. I did not succeed in following the various 

 stages ot developmental growth from the egg to the matured 

 atlimal, but was enabled to determine that it was more protracted 

 than in the case of the common tree-toad {Hyla versicolor). The 

 difference is, I believe, quite seven weeks. 



To return to the adult " peepers." From the date of their 

 earliest appearance until May 20, their numbers were incalculable. 

 In every portion of the meadows at all wet, they were to be seen, 

 ■^xtremely active and very shy, they were difficult to catch, pro- 

 vided you pursued a single individual, but by sweeping an ordi- 

 nary dip net along the grass at the edge of any little pool, sev- 



