The spring symphony usually begins in early to mid April with a chorus of Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs. Soon afterwards the toads add to the harmony with their melodic trills. The Leopard Frogs join in next, followed at last by the Green Frogs. Their banjo twangs are added to the final overture, just as the singers of the opening chorus begin to fade away and disperse back to the wood- lands.

Following is a quick reference to the calls of Prince Edward Island's frogs and toads:

Spring Peeper (Hyla crucifer) , - a series of short, high-pitched, shrill notes, each with an upward slur on the end, repeated continuously (pee , peep, peep, peep, . . . .); a whole chorus of Spring Peepers sounds l1 e leTgh bETls ringing.

American Toad (Bufo americanus) - a long, loud, mu51cal trill held on one pitch; one of the most pleasant sounds of early spring.

Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens) - a long, deep, rattling "snore" interspersed with chuckling grunts

Nooo Froo (Rana s ivatica) - a hoarse, crackling sound resembling the quack of a duck; somewhat like the Leopard Frog's call but shorter, higher-pitched and not as loud

Green Froq (Rana clamitans) - explosive notes resembling the twang of a loose banjo string or the sound of an elastic band being plucked.

(Ed. Note: In recent years frogs have become established in certain ponds in eastern Newfoundland.)

CANADIAN NA'IZURE FEDERATION REPORT

by H. Hinston Johnston, Charlottetown

The 1983 CNF Conference will be held in Sackville, N.B. on Friday and Saturday, the 12th and 13th of next August. The theme will be 'Time and Tide Wait for You', and, as this suooests, the topics of consideration will deal with the tides in and around the Bay of Fundy. A number of field trips are planned, including at least one to Prince Edward Island and possibly continuing on to the Magdalen Islands. CNF looks toward the Natural History Society to send a strong contingent to these meetings. Perhaps several carloads of members can be arranged. The conference itself will be hosted at Mount Allison University so overnight stays will be convenient. ‘

0n the business side of things, CNF has not been able to avoid the economic receSSion. Memberships are holding steady but a number of income sources are expected to show a shortfall for 1982 when final accounts are in. The NHS is a financ1al suoporter of the Federation and your donations are much appreciated.

. Closer to home, CNF has a number of activities in which Society members may be interested in progress made to date. Forestry in Nova Scotia will see a brief presented by Ian McLaren, a former CNF President, to the Royal Commission on Forestry. Piping Plovers in Nova Scotia are also of interest, since the Cadden Beach area has experienced a sharp decline in nesting by these plovers. CNF is pleased that the Natural History Society is leading the project to protect our Island‘s Piping Plover population on the North Shore beaches.

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