302 NATURE SKETCHES IN TEMPERATE AMERICA 



the base of the antennae. When these insects are touched they 

 snap up from the ground as if provided with a spring. 



Again, with a loud buzzing sound, the stag beetle comes into 

 our midst, closely followed by the antelope species. Not the 

 least interesting was the spotted Pelidnota, which fell in readily 

 with the procession. Springing out of the darkness into the 

 light with great suddenness, this attractive lot of insects kept 

 us well supplied with biological material. I must recall some 

 of the interesting sights dating from the first week to August 

 sixteenth. At this time the long-winged forms of crickets 

 which live in the nearby fields begin their flights. Sometimes 

 one, or as many as two or three at a time, would come to the 

 light, and at the end of twenty minutes as many as thirteen 

 were counted. These were of the species known as Xemobius 

 fasciatus, shown in the photographic illustration at the end of 

 this article. They came about 7.30 p.m. and were accompanied 

 by the usual moth fre(|uenters. Perhaps the most interesting 

 arrival I have yet recorded was the mole cricket. On the six- 

 teenth we were visited l)y one of these insects, which was shortly 

 after followed by another. One came down upon the wooden 

 platform with a tiuid and flew almost under my hands, as I 

 was catching one of the small crickets. Finally, a green forked- 

 tail katydid and a single female short-horned green grasshopper 

 came to the footlight, closing the performance for that night, 



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