BATRACHIANS OF THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK 201 



Four ridges or elevated folds of the skin extend down the 

 back, the two outer rows of which are vividly tinged with light 

 bronze; the two inner folds traverse the centers of the rows of 

 dark spots on the back. The abdomen is silvery white. The 

 under surface of the hind limbs is bright yellow, as is also a 

 small area behind each fore limb. 



The species may be distinguished from the Salt-Marsh Frog 

 by the regularity of the rows of spots. It is the most showy of 

 our local frogs. 



Range: Eastern North America. 



Local Distribution: General. 



The Leopard Frog is a wanderer, traversing and frequenting 

 stretches of damp meadows and fresh-water swamps. It is 

 sometimes found a considerable distance from the water. Young 

 specimens are most numerous about shallow, slow-running 

 streams bordered with dense vegetation. 



When in danger this frog exudes through its skin an acrid 

 secretion which protects the creature from its enemies. Few 

 snakes eat these frogs. They are said, however, to be good bait 

 for pickerel on account of their bright colors; hence one of the 

 popular names, the " Pickerel Frog." 



The Pond Frog, or Green Frog, Rana clamata Daubin (Fig. 

 25), is a large species. Form, stout. Dark brown or olive- 

 green above, with an irregular sprinkling of darker pond or 

 spots; head usually bright green. White beneath, Green, 



with an obscure marbling of gray about the under '^^°Z- 



surface of the limbs; throat of the male generally yellow; of 

 the female, white, marbled with gray. 



The color of the individual varies with the changes in light 

 and temperature. A common phase displays much vivid green 

 about the head and anterior portion of the body, while the poster- 

 ior portion is brown or olive. Sometimes the entire body is green, 

 in other instances dull brown. The male may be distinguished 

 from the female by his much larger earplate (tympanum). 



This species resembles the Bull Frog, but may be readily 



distinguished therefrom by a marked anatomical character: on 



each side, beginning behind the eye and extending nearly the 



[47] 



