THE CARET \ OR HA WHS-BILL TURTLE. 
23 
as nearly unknown on the Atlantic coast. The only specimen then known to have been seen 
and captured near the American Atlantic shores, was an enormous one now preserved in the 
Boston Museum. It was captured off the mouth of Boston harbor. Its length was eight feet and 
one inch. In color, jet-black. This was purchased at a large price, and it continues to occupy 
the same place as one of the most notable of the curiosities of the Museum. For many years 
this species remained unknown on our shores, excepting as represented by these two speci- 
mens. Somewhat later examples came to be more numerous. At the present time it is not 
an unusual thing to see a Leathery Tortoise when, in summer, cruising some distance off shore. 
We saw several in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, while resident on the Florida Reef. 
Those we have examined were of a dense black color and rather shiny, like the skin of a por- 
poise. This is probably the most bulky of living Turtles. The enormous fossil Turtle which . 
was found in one of the Western Territories is allied to the present species. 
Another well-known species of Turtle deserves a passing notice. This is the Logger- 
head Turtle, or Caouaxe ( Tlialassochelys caretta ), sometimes called the Riiixoceros 
Turtle. 
This tine species has a wide range of locality, being found in the most warm seas. It is 
extremely powerful, fierce, and voracious, biting with great force, and cutting hard substances 
without much difficulty. According to Catesby, “the Loggerhead Turtles are the boldest and 
most voiacious of all other Turtles. Their flesh is rank and little sought for, which occasions 
them to be more numerous than any other kind. They range the ocean over, an instance of 
which, among many others that I have known, happened in latitude 30 ° north, when our boat 
was hoisted out, and a Loggerhead Turtle struck, as it was sleeping on the surface of the 
water. 
This, by our reckoning, appeared to be midway between the Azores and the Bahama 
Islands, either of which places being the nearest land it could have come from, or that they 
are known to frequent, there being none on the north continent of America farther north than 
Florida. It being amphibious, and yet at so great a distance from land in the breeding-time 
makes it the more remarkable. They feed mostly on shell-fish, the great strength of their 
beaks enabling them to break very large shells.” Several other species belong to the same 
genus. 
In general appearance this species is not unlike the common Green Turtle, which will 
presently be described, but the shell is broader, deeper colored, and has two more plates on 
the back. The plates along the upper part of the back are six-sided, rather square, and 
keeled. There are two claws on each foot. 
The Loggerhead Turtle is so abundant in the waters about the Dry Tortugas, on the 
Florida Reef, that one of the principal islands or keys is named from it. This creature 
attains a large size ; some measuring quite five feet in length. It is so named from the great 
comparative size of its head. Considerable difference is seen between this and the Green 
T urtle in this respect. 
The Loggerheads make their appearance in the shoal waters near the keys in early 
summer. On the first moonlight night they are ready to go on shore to deposit their eggs. 
On these occasions people living near, mostly wreckers and fishermen, resort to the region and 
watch for the creatures, to secure their eggs first, and then the carcases. Before leaving the 
water the reptiles are exceedingly shy and cautious, but once fairly at work digging holes 
above the high-water mark, they heed nothing until the eggs are all deposited. So intent 
are they on this business it is a common practice to sit on the creatures’ shell and take the 
eggs as they are deposited. . ^ The patient reptiles then carefully draw the sand over the empty 
io e wi as much care as if the complement of eggs was yet there. This accomplished, they 
hurry off to sea again. ’ J 
The well-known Caret, or Hawk’s-bill Turtle (. Eretmochelys ), so called from the 
formation of the mouth, is a native of the warm American and Indian seas, and is common in 
many of the islands of those oceans, 
