Believe it or not Mountain Chicken is a frog. Frogs to some are an epicurean delight and to others, should remain happily croaking in ponds. As you may know, the French are well renowned for eating frogs legs. Here in Dominica, Crapuad - local name (Krah-poh) - is the indigenous frog used in many local dishes.

The appearance of this species of frog cannot be mistaken for an ordinary frog. The

Crapuad, has large legs about the size of chicken wings; it has unmistakable markings: brown spots on it's back that are coloured yellow-green and on it's belly and sides, a hue of bright pink.

The frogs are active at night, making deep grunting noises that sound like a load of old men chattering in the market place. Luckily their habitat is mainly in the rain forest and mountains which make up an extensive part of Dominica, so most folk can sleep at night, except those of us of course who happen to live in the rain forest!

When it was legal to catch these creatures, they were caught by shining a light in their eyes, leaving them dazzled for the time being, then grabbing them quickly and sticking them on a pole or in a sack. They were sold in the market - displayed to all and sundry - by hanging them in bunches, not a pretty sight ! It must have been very distressing and strange - albeit colourful - to see these poor animals suspended upside down, inspected for the plumpness of their legs and shoved into the pot.

The sad thing is that nobody knew the Crapaud was heading for extinction. There is a disease that was brought into this country by people importing other species of frogs that quickly infected the Dominican variety. Nobody is quite sure how to stop this disease, that's why there is a ban in Dominica against people killing and eating the Mountain Chicken.

I am not sure that I would like to eat this delicacy. The very idea puts me off, but I suppose if I was to shut my eyes I might be brave enough to try. What is the saying?, "What your eyes don't see your heart won't grieve over!" It doesn't look like I will get that chance anytime soon unless something can be done to stop these poor frogs dying.

Maybe someone could try and farm the frogs if there is a cure found; this way perhaps we could ensure that these unique cartoon-like prehistoric amphibians stay on the planet, either as water-based atheletes or as a Dominican rustic feast.