CHAPTER XXVI 



Insects and Their Relatives 



With such a large family of birds to feed, the cap- 

 ture of insects became a necessity. This was done 

 with sweeping nets in rather a wholesale manner 

 and the catch picked over for specimens before the 

 birds were fed. 



Butterflies were taken with care, so that their 

 delicate wings would not be injured. The boys be- 

 came very expert in the use of the net and in stalk- 

 ing their game. There are tricks in all trades, which 

 only experience will make perfect. 



Caterpillars were carried home and fed on the 

 same kind of leaves they were eating when found, 

 until they went to sleep in cocoons or queer, orna- 

 mented cases and emerged as beautiful moths and 

 butterflies, ready to sip nectar from every inviting 

 flower. This method gave perfect specimens and 

 no end of pleasure for all the members of the family. 



At night, around the torch light, hundreds of 

 moths, beetles, and other insects collected and were 

 easily caught. Sugaring for moths was practised on 



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