hatchlings bask on wire-mesh supports. I have frequently observed softshells floating at the surface of the water, a habit previously mentioned by Surface (1908:122) and Pope (1949:305, 311). Individuals of _Pseudemys_ and, to a lesser extent, _Graptemys_ also float at the surface; those kinds of turtles and softshells at least, often appear at the surface of the water, seemingly as a result of an inquisitiveness, following repeated disturbances that cause submergence. Newman (1906:131) described the active pursuit of food: "They crawl or swim along the bottom, thrusting their snouts under stones and into masses of aquatic vegetation, occasionally snapping up a crayfish or larva that they have succeeded in dislodging. They do not tear up their food, but swallow it whole, using the forefeet to assist in forcing it down." Surface (1908:123) suggested that softshells may feed "upon insects which may be found floating on the water," and I have had captives take insects from the surface of the water. Carr (1940:107) also wrote that _ferox_ and numerous gars in the Tamiami Canal, often at the mouths of the tributary ditches, snap at each other furiously as floating bits of food are washed in from the Everglades. Another habit that has been mentioned as an aid in acquiring food (Breckenridge, 1944:186; Conant, 1951:156; Hudson, 1942:101) is burrowing just below the surface in a soft bottom in shallow water, to ambush passing fish, or other food. Presumably all kinds of softshells do this in both shallow and deep water of lakes or rivers having a suitable substrate; _spinifer_ and _muticus_ have been reported to burrow in shallow waters (no observations in deep water) by Agassiz (1857:333), Cahn (1937:180, 189), Conant (1951:159) and Weed (1923:48). Marchand (_in_ Carr, 1952:417-19) noted that _ferox_ burrows in deep water, and mentioned that in areas of bare white sand a group of fish invariably surrounds them, and one can locate buried softshells by observing these particular schools of fish. No mention was made of the turtles attempting to catch the fish. Other associations of soft-shelled turtles and fish have been described. Kirtland (_in_ DeKay, 1842:7) observed several large bass that closely followed large numbers of turtles floating at the surface. Newman (1906:131) reported the observations of fishermen in Lake Maxinkuckee that large-mouth black bass stay not far away from swimming softshells; the same author also mentioned the observations of Jacob Reighard, who suggested that bass may be feeding upon minnows that he noticed following softshells. Seemingly some sort of commensalistic relationship exists whereby fish acquire food that is dislodged by grubbing and scurrying of softshells. Probably food is pursued on occasion from a buried position, but this habit probably is not executed specifically for obtaining food. Newman (_op. cit._:129) was of the opinion that burrowing in shallow water is a habit to facilitate "warming up."