Tree-frog, Tree-toad

See quotation 1781.

1775.  There are two very curious species of frogs in Virginia; one is called the bull-frog, which is prodigiously large, and makes so loud a noise, that it may be heard at a great distance: the other is a small green frog, which sits upon the boughs of trees, and is found in almost every garden.—Andrew Burnaby, ‘Travels in North America,’ p. 22 n.

1781.  The Tree-frog cannot be called an insect, a reptile, or one of the winged host. He has four legs, the two foremost short, with claws as sharp as those of a squirrel: the hind legs five inches long, and folding by three joints. His body is about as big as the first joint of a man’s thumb. Under his throat is a wind-bag, which assists him in singing the word I-sa-ac, all the night.—Samuel Peters, ‘History of Connecticut,’ p. 261–2 (Lond.). [See also LITTLE ISAAC.]

1792.  The Tree-frog, Rana Arborea, and the Bull Frog, Rana boans, are mentioned by Jeremy Belknap, ‘New Hampshire,’ iii. 174.

1795.  

1809.  I regard [these dastardly lies] no more than the croak of the Tree Toad.—John Adams, June 22: ‘Adams Correspondence,’ Boston, 1823.

1830.  [The savage] flattens his nose until it lies down like a tree-toad on a log.—Mass. Spy, Aug. 11: from the N.Y. Evening Post.

1833.  Nor katy-did nor tree-frog, nor any thing that breathed of life, seemed to exist at that moment, save himself alone.—J. K. Paulding, ‘The Banks of the Ohio,’ ii. 26 (Lond.).

1837.  The little Tree-Frog, hyale, is of a fine pale green color.—John L. Williams, ‘The Territory of Florida,’ p. 66 (N.Y.).

1846.