297
Cambridge, Mass.
1898.
Oct. 22.
(No.2).
so that there should be no chance for the young turtles to
crawl under.
  For the past two weeks I have visited the spot almost
daily and till to-day found no change. Yesterday I was at the
enclosure in the latter part of the afternoon. This morning
I went there at 12 o'clock and found in about the centre of
the little yard a hole narrowly oblong in shape, the
dimensions being at the top 1 inch by 1/2 inch. The hole was
1 1/4 inches deep and I could plainly see two halves of an
egg at the bottom. They were separated far enough to allow a
young turtle to crawl out.
  But where was the turtle? Not in the enclosure, cer-
tainly. The first around the edge of yard was not in the
least disturbed and the only possible way for departure was
by crawling up the wire screen. The meshes was very fine and
I presume the turtle must have done it. I have never dreamt
of danger from that quarter. When I saw the little turtle in
the egg I remember the fine white tiny claws of the creature
that were moving slowly about about. John has put a netting over
the top of the enclosure and  if any more eggs hatch, I dont [sic]
know how many eggs there are, we shall secure the young ones
this time surely.
  Brewster Museum, Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 22, 1898.
  Walter Deane.