local scientist.

And those slimy road hazards, the "road toads,'' also appear to have decreased, according to Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Parks, Dr. Roberta Dow.

Dr. Dow believes that Bermuda's tree frogs and giant toads are experiencing a population decline similar to amphibians in the rest of the world.

And so far the reason for the drop in numbers is baffling scientists around the globe.

Articles have recently appeared in the New York Times and newspapers in England considering whether man's intrusion into the habitats of the amphibians has been a major factor, or whether it is a result of global warming.

Dr. Dow believes the number of frogs and toads in Bermuda has decreased dramatically over the past decade.

She said: "I used to have a lot of toads in my yard but over the past three years I have had none.

"In the pond at the Botanical Gardens there were literally dozens of toads, many mating, but now there are only a few.'' Dr. Dow said that after a downpour driving on the Island's roads became hazardous because of the numbers of toads that appeared.

She said: "It would be difficult to avoid them, although some people tried to crush them.'' Many people are also not keen on having the toads in their gardens and throw them out or into the sea, but this is not seen as a major reason for the huge decline.

Dr. Dow also believes that the number of tree frogs has plummeted. "Years ago I often felt that I had a major symphony orchestra outside of my apartment,'' she said.

"Now I can only hear one or two singing. There is not the cacophony of sound there used to be.

"I personally feel the population of both frogs and toads is a lot less than it was in Bermuda.'' Dr. Dow said that the decline is similar to falls in North and South America, Australia and some parts of Europe.

Pollution, acid rain and human intrusion have been dismissed out as reasons for the decrease. Presently scientists are wondering whether it could be a result of the problems with the ozone layer or a natural cycle where the population fluctuates. This last possibility could be removed because some of the world's toads are close to extinction.

While Dr. Dow believes there is a decrease in the frog and toad population in the Island, Mr. Harry Barnes at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research has seen an increase in the number of toads at the station's pond.

Mr. Barnes said: "After a heavy rainfall drivers are almost involved in a slalom around here. We are slithering round on them.

"There are still a lot of toads around here, Spittal Pond and Stokes Point but that is natural around freshwater ponds.'' Dr. Dow said that she will consider assigning some summer students to looking into the question, but, at present, there are no concrete plans for research into any possible decline in numbers.