MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



swamjD. They also emerge in cities under any tree on 

 which their caterpillars feed. Once late in May, in the 

 corner of a lichen-covered, old snake fence beside the 

 Wabash on the Shimp farm, I made a series of studies of 

 the home life of a pair of ground sparrows. They had 

 chosen for a location a slight depression covered with a 

 rank growth of meadow grass. Overhead wild plum and 

 thorn in full bloom lay white-sheeted against the blue sky; 

 red bud spread its purple haze, and at a ciu've, the breast 

 of the river gleamed white as ever woman's; while under- 

 foot the grass was obscured with masses of wild flowers. 



An unusually fine cluster of white violets attracted me 

 as I worked around the birds, so on packing at the close 

 of the day I lifted the plant to carry home for my wild 

 flower bed. Below a few inches of rotting leaves and black 

 mould I found a lively pupa of the Yellow Emperor. 



So these moths emerge and deposit their eggs in the 

 swamps, forests, beside the river and wherever the trees on 

 which they feed grow. When the serious business of life is 

 over, attracted by strong lights, they go with other pleasure 

 seeking companj^, and grace society by their royal presence. 



I could have had half a dozen fine Imperialis moths 

 during the three nights of the carnival, and fluttering 

 above buildings many more could be seen that did not 

 descend to our reach. Raymond had such a busy time 

 capturing moths he missed most of the joys of the car- 

 nival, but I truly think he liked the chase better. One he 



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