194 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 



across the eye and thence along the greater length of the body. 

 The abdomen is whitish, with a few scattered black dots. Length 

 of body, lyV inches ; total length, with hind limbs outstretched, 

 2\ inches. 



Range: This is essentially a western species. It is very 

 abundant in the northwestern portion of the United States, east 

 of the Rocky Mountains, whence it extends southward into 

 Texas. The range extends eastward in the shape of a narrowing 

 band which terminates in central and southern New Jersey. In 

 this apex of its eastern distribution the species is common, es- 

 pecially in the swampy areas of the barrens of the southwestern 

 part of the State. 



Local Distribution: Mr. W. D. W. Miller has taken many 

 specimens near Plainfield, N. J. 



Like other species of the Hylidcu, this creature leaves its 

 winter quarters early and gathers about shallow pools and 

 ditches to breed. It is not an agile swimmer, since the hind feet 

 are not webbed. If alarmed when near the water, it wriggles 

 its way into the marginal vegetation so quickly that it is difficult 

 to capture. Its cry is a sharp trill like that of the Cricket Frog. 



Pickering's Tree Toad, or "Peeper," Hyla pickeringi Storer 



(Fig. 20), is a very small animal. The body is pale brown above 



with distinct, narrow markings on the back which 



ic enng s g^gg^j-^g ^]^g form of an X on the upper portion of the 

 Tree Toad. rr i 



back, behind which is a A -shaped marking. At the 



end of the body there is another mark, similar to the latter, but 



of about half the size. A similar mark with the point directed 



backwards occurs behind the eyes. A band of the same dark 



color that constitutes the markings on the back extends from 



the snout across the eye, and thence down the side to a short 



distance behind the fore limb. The hind limbs are banded. 



Beneath, the color is yellowish white. 



Although the color-pattern is generally pronounced, and the 



usual colors of the species are as described, this individual 



varies greatly in color, not only in different individuals but also 



in the same individual at different times. The writer has ob- 



ser\^ed specimens of normal colors change to pale gray, and 



[40] 



