The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23
Robbie and the rsna..


Robbie and the Tsads.
Little five-year's-old Robbie had a
great affection ier all kinds of animals,
and owned cat and a dog which he
couldnsver bear 70 have out of his sight,
and IL was all that mamma coald 10 10
induce him 20 allow Prince and Tabbie
10 so 70 the stable At night instead OF
sharing his bed. Last Summer, how
ever, while he was in the country, spend
ing few weeks with grandpa, he
formed new friendship, which for a
time drHve all thought of his old play
fellows ont Of his mind.
One day, while he was playing in the
garden, lie eSpiej hig, fat toad sitting
under a lettuoe-leSf, ami basily engaged
in swallowing a large worm which he
hai iuSt caught
Now Robbie has an inquiring mind, 50
instead az rushing mp and soaring him,
rs most children would have done, he
stood quietly by to watch HIM.
The worm was large ani strong and
had a decided objection 70 heing swal-
lowed. The toad was, however, firm in
his purpose: he struggled. and Swal-
lowed a half inch az time, while the
worm writhei around above his head
ana seemed about 70 crawl forth from
his confinement, As the tOad's jaws were
losing their grip. But he was not 70 be
defrauiei Of his dinner; 50. bringing
his night hand to his aid, he succeeded,
after little effort, in getting hold Of the
worm IN his stomach from the outside,
and held fast while he made an end.oi
his prey.
Robbie at once ran 10 the house and
told his grandpa and mother what he
had seen. They could hardly credit il.
but the next day when grandpa went
ont 10 hoe his potatoes, Robbie followed
70 collect the earth worms for his pet,
who made his home under a large clump
If lilac bushes close by the parlor WIN
dOws. He nad no trouble with the small
ones, but when gwen an enormous old
fellow, graaripa with his own ewes saw
the same performance Robbie had WIT
messed the day before. After that, Mr..
Toad lived on the fat Of the land, so 10
speak, for whenever worms or bugs
were found they were thrown 10 him.
In these same hlacs a yellov-bird hal
nsde her nest, and nov there were four
beautiful baby birds. Their mother was
very fond Of them, and spent ali OF her
time IN caring for them-bringing them
food, covering them from wind and rain
VITA her soft wings, or singing them TO
sleep with the most delightful music.
The nest WAS small and the birds got
bigger very fast, and it seemed some
times. when the branches swayel more
than usual, that they must fall out. One
afternoon when Robbie went 10 look at
them from the parlor windows, there
we're but three in the nest. One had
gone, but where? he looked all around
under the bushes. but could not find il.
The next day another one was missing,
and the day after the nest was empty.
But as grandpa was hunting for them
on the ground, he saw something Just
disappearing down the toad's throat that
looked suspiciouslv like the legs OF "A
very small bird. The thought came to
him that he might possibly be respon-
sible for the death of all the dOwnv
darlings, and az once determined 10 have
him killed in order 10 see if it were so.
Robbie begged for his life, but grand
pa would not relent and called John TO
come with the az. When Mr.. Toad
came 70 be dissected, two of the birds
were found in his stomach, and they
felt no doubt as to what had been the
fate Of the others.
In one corner Of the front yard there
was a large fountain, and oftentimes.
Just at night, the shrill notes of a tree
toad could be heard coming, seemingly,
from the middle of the basin. After
much search, Robbie found him perched
on the edge OF the fountain, where he
was just moistened by the spray. He
seemed quite at home there, and grew
so much accustomed to having people
about that he wouid sing even though
they came quite near.
He sang a great deal, and as his voice
was strong and shrill, he could be heard
at quite distance. Mrs. Spencer, who
lived across the strest, was an invalid
and very nervous, and he annoyed her
so much that she often threatened 10
have her husband shoot him If he were
not disposed of in some other way.
The tree-toad belongs to tine genus
Hyla, possesses great ventril0qual pow
ers, and has the faculty Of changing its
color to that Of the object on which it
rests.
Toads can live for a long time without
food, and some people suppose without
air also. They are often found i'm
bedded in clay, solid trunks Of trees,
and even in rocks, where they are
thought to have been for many years,
perhaps centuries, yet on being let out
OF their prison they hoped OF as lively
as ever.
The opinion of most scientific natuIa-
lists, however, is that this is either un-
true or inaccurate. That they can ex-
lst for some time without food is true.
but IN cases where they have been
found imbedded in those apparently
solid substances, there was, in fact,
some slight crevice where they obtained
AIR, and small insects sufficed to prevent
starvation.
The toad feeds on worms aud insects,
and generally goes about at night after
his food. 1t swallows its prey alive.
and oftentimes they may be seen to
twitcb, on account of the tickling
caused by large beetle or cricket in
the stomach. They are Of great service
In the garden, and so much are they
prized in England that they are collect
ed and sold in the markets, shilling
being the usual price.
The toad differs from the frog in
having long, well developed tongue
and no teeth.