REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS seen on the railway bank at Elmswell on 9 April 1903. Just over the Cambridgeshire border at the ' Devil's Dyke ' a large snake was observed by a friend of Mr. F. Norgate's in September 1892. One reason given by Mr. Bateman ' for the greater scarcity of this species as com- pared with the viper, is that the eggs of the former, often deposited in manure heaps and similar situations, are very liable to injury and often prevented from hatching, while the more prolific * viper produces at one time from thirty to fifty little viperlings, all ready and able to fight their way in the world.' For an interesting account of the curious behaviour of some sparrows and a robin in the presence of a snake, see the Zoologist for 1869, p. 1918. 4. Common Viper or Adder. Vipera berus, Linn. Very much scarcer than it used to be, but still found in many parts of the county. On the irregular strip of heath land which runs more or less parallel to the coast, extending in places several miles inland, it was up to thirty or forty years ago fairly common. Here it probably subsisted principally on the lizards which then abounded on the same ground. At that time vipers were not un- frequently carried into the neighbouring farm- yards, among loads of furze, brakes (bracken) and heather brought from the heath. Of late years Mr. H. Miller has met with examples at Nacton and Alnesbourne, as well as in woods at Bentley, Raydon and Brantham, and Mr. Hudson has until lately found this reptile common at Foxhall near the decoy. From the heath about Blaxhall, Tunstall and Iken, it has almost entirely dis- appeared. At Gedgrave one was lately killed by a waggoner with his whip while it was crossing the road, and was preserved by Mr. Hudson of Ipswich. Vipers were formerly common about Blyth burgh, Westleton and Dunwich, but according to various observers their numbers have greatly diminished. In- deed intelligence received from several parts of the county agrees with respect to the in- creasing scarcity of this reptile in comparison with former times. In very few districts does it still appear to be at all abundant. Mr. W. M. Crowfoot considers it not un- common in the neighbourhood of Beccles, and has found the red variety in Worlingham Park. He was also told by Colonel Leathes of Herringfleet Hall, some 4 or 5 miles from Beccles, that they were a great deal too com- mon in that parish. Mr. H. Lingwood, in a letter to the writer, states that it is frequently met with in the neighbourhood of Needham Market, also that he has known it take the water like the common snake. Mr. F. Norgate killed two vipers at Tuddenham St. Mary near Mildenhall in May 1893, and has occasionally met with them there in previous years. BATRACHIANS ECAUDATA 1. Common Frog. Rana tempararia, Linn. Locally, Fresher or Freshy. Plentiful in low and moist situations in all parts of the county. A handsome variety is sometimes met with, in which the upper parts are of a rich chestnut with darker spots or blotches, the under parts yellow, splashed and sprinkled with light scarlet or blood red. This occurs about Blaxhall, Farnham and the surrounding district. The writer has also seen a specimen near the river Stour at Bures, and it is probably to be found in other parts of the county. 2. Common Toad. Bufo vulgaris^ Laur. Locally, Hopping-toad. Common. Breeds abundantly in many ponds and ditches (though by no means in ' The Ovarium, by the Rev. Gregory C. Bate- man, A.K.C., p. zzz. all of them) throughout the county. Great numbers both of toads and frogs are de- stroyed and partly devoured at the com- mencement of the spawning season by rats. 3. Natterjack Toad. Bufo calamita, Laur. This very local species occurs in more than one part of the county, showing as elsewhere a decided partiality for the sea coast. It is found at Belton near Yarmouth, Herringfleet, St. Olaves, Southwold and Walberswick.* From thence, following the coast line in a southerly direction, we come to Aldeburgh, where in August 1882 the Rev. H. A. Macpherson observed examples in warm ' At Herringfleet it has been observed by Mr. H. Miller of Ipswich, as well as by Colonel Leathes, who has also seen specimens at St. Olaves. Both Mr. Miller and Mr. E. R. Cooper have met with this species at Southwold, and at Walberswick it has been noticed by Mr. Cooper and the pre- leat writer. 175
