Page:Natural History, Reptiles.djvu/275

Rh with large round blackish spots: on the head are two stripes. The crest, which is notched along the edge, is often tipped in spring with bright red or violet. The female is light yellowish brown, with scattered brown dots, which are frequently wanting on the belly.

Early in the spring the crest of the male assumes a size and hue which make him a conspicuous object; and he may be seen pursuing the other sex through the water, frequently doubling his fin-like tail forwards in a sort of bight or loop, and vibrating it with a rapid tremulous motion. Soon after this the female begins to deposit her eggs, which she does on the leaves of water-plants, sometimes selecting