340 NATURE SKETCHES IN TEMPERATE AMERICA 



The slender cone-head, hke its rarer relative the robust 

 species, stridulates during cloudy weather in August, and the 

 notes are particularly vigorous during the night hours. The 

 notes of the robust cone-head are distinguished from those of 

 the slender species in being much louder. The shrilling is 

 more continuous and is accompanied by a resonant humming 

 at once perceptible as one approaches near the insect, recalling 

 the notes of the cicada. 



In the weeded portion of the meadow, the graceful Texan 

 katydid sometimes appears in the same company with the 

 swordbearer. At such times, when the two are approached, 

 the Texan species will more readily take to flight. I have 

 seen them, for instance, fly from the top of the cone flower 

 Rudbeckia, or goldenrod, to a distant point, alighting again 

 on some plant, or they may pitch headlong to the ground. 

 Dtiring such flights, the delicate, transparent wings, glimmering 

 ill the sunlight, present one of the most aesthetic sights in the 

 meadow. 



The Carolina Locust 



Among the hordes of grasshoppers that are seen along the 

 roadside and barren fields in midsummer, the Carolina locust 

 is one t)f the most familiar species. In the open pathway of 

 the observer, either in the city lot, or in the country, one is 

 almost sure to scare up a number of these handsome locusts 

 from the bare ground. When flying, the sombre black wings 

 of this species, which are bordered with light greenish yellow, 

 present a ready mark of recognition. But on the ground, with 

 its wings folded, it is well protected by the various hues on 

 its body of gray, reddish brown, or yellow, which simulate 

 the harmonious background. On a cloudy or rainy day, the 

 same roadsides that are usually fftvored by so many Caro- 

 lina locusts often appear uninhabited by them. The locusts 

 under these conditions seek temporary shelter, but they are 

 abroad again as soon as the sun comes out brightly. 



When this locust is flushed in the heat of an August day, 

 it starts out with a whirr of the wings, flying with great swift- 

 ness in a zig-zag, somewhat choppy flight. In the excitement 

 of rising from the ground, the wings are sometimes caught by 



