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. 
     
    
   
   
    
     9