2o6 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 



ally distributed over the eastern and central portions of the 

 United States and southern Canada. It does not extend, how- 

 ever, into the sandy portions of the Southern States. 



Local Distribution: The Wood Frog appears to be restricted 

 to certain areas, in which it is abundant. The writer has found 

 it common in the woods along the Palisades of the Hudson 

 River and in Westchester County, N. Y. 



The Wood Frog, even where it is abundant, is not often seen, 

 on account of its habit of living among the fallen leaves of 

 timbered districts and the fact that its sober colors almost pre- 

 cisely match the dead leaves. It is aquatic only in the spring, 

 when it frequents small bodies of water for the purpose of laying 

 its eggs. At such times the croaking of the many males indi- 

 cate the first awakening of the cold-blooded creatures from their 

 winter sleep, for the Wood Frog lays its eggs before the ice has 

 entirely left the ponds. The writer has repeatedly observed 

 them as early as March. The eggs are deposited in masses from 

 two to three inches in diameter, and hatch within ten days. 

 The tadpoles grow rapidly and, unless their pool receives the 

 water from cold springs, complete their transformation early in 

 the summer. They are black above and bright golden bronze 

 beneath. Upon leaving the water the young frog is slightly 

 more than half an inch in length. 



FIQ. 28. THE GRAY TREE TOAD 



From specimen in New York Zoological Park 



[52] 



