The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-09
MIR. NrcHoLs,s BuLLFRoa.
II Puts Away File. In Great shape, but Yo-
Ought to See Il Swallow n Yov,n BIRD

IL Pats Away Files In Great shape, but Voc
Ought to See Il Swallow n Hou.n BIRD.
Charles Nichols OF 125 Morris and Essex ave-
nue.. Newark. is naturalist. and lust now he
is especinlly interested 10 frogs. Ie has
studied the Rama cdieSJidnu. or ordinary Jer-
sey bullfrog. from the spawn to scnile decrep-
itudc. has seen it in the p)llywog, stage.
watched 1t grow it's legs and discard II tail,
I and reared IL In confinement with as much
care as he bcstows on his own progeny. In
his collection Mr.. Nichols now has one specl-
men OF tho builfrog family which has devel.
opod in confinement some remarkable traits.
LISA noble specimen. wearing upon eiths7
side OF its head golden medallions rs bright
and as large as nve-iollar god.pioces. It
has dreamy eyes. with elliptical pupils OF the
darkest hue shaded by green and gold rises
over which ii!my web closes at frequent n-
terynls. imparting an expression Of supreme
satisfaction when accompanied by the muscu-
Jar action NJ the throat in the act Of swallow
TrSdy and q he o s M N bToSs SH:
Freldy,s extreme length Is siHteen inches
when Mr. Nichols pulls his leg and the
l Eok Ing asly Nl frS,lly's neither limbs; hut
neyo9d tho ,nppreria,lon Of the gourmet.
Freddy lives in an ordinary aquarium. with
femre 1 TO ra OF upo %a Wsn nnd An ansa
and air. His diet consists OF flies. which he
VIII not touch unless they show signs OF life
MIR. Nichols catches n fly and holds It boz
tween his thumb and foretingor within three
inches OF Freddy's nose. Tho frog blinks
twice and & res through the motion o! swal-
lowing to assure himself that his throttle Is
oncn ana tho muscles ot his organs of deglu-
tition are in, order. Then. quicker than the
eye can follow 1t. his tongue shoots out and
tho crippled ny disappears. The tongue
reaches out fully three inches and never fails
to envelope the rs and carry 1t into the cavern.
Gus mouth which closes with n snap. invaria-
bly, ACCOMPANIED by n closing Of the eyes
which expresses the keeneSt satisfaction.
one day last week Mr. Nichols found a baby
sparrow under n spruce tree on High street
and tool; 1t home to Freddy. Tine frog BETRAYED
great excitement when he saw the downy
bird and conld scarcely wait until It was with
in reach He Tade n futile leap and knocked
the fledgcling from Mr. Nichpls's hand with
his lariat-lik tongue, and rs the bird fell into
tho water he leaped and swallowed 1t. The
sparrow disappeared without a struggle and
Freddy retired into his artificial aroto to walt
until the birds ifo was extinct. Twice since
Mr.. Nichols has had Freddy in confinement
the frog has been treated with tender Young
mice. captured in paper nest in the drawer OF
desk: but lie has never had morsel which
did this little sparrow. a.
On several occasions the frog has jun ped ut
lilies SIX mining over his aquarium. and has
missed his hold and fallen upon the floor.
Usually the mishap attracts attention. but
twice 1t has been unnoticed. and upon search-
Ing the room Freddy has been found hidden
away in the recesses of porcelain cuBpidor.
Each time hc has seemed grateful when re.
turned to the water. .r.