MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



Cotton walking beside me hovering her with a net. The 

 moth chmbcd from the twig to the tree, and chmg there, 

 her wings spread fiat, at times setting them quivering in 

 a fluttering motion, or raising them. While Molly- 

 Cotton guarded her I returned for the male, and found 

 him with wings so hardened that he could raise them 

 above his back, and lower them full width. 



I wanted my study to dignify the term, so I planned it 

 to show the under wings of one moth, the upper of the 

 other. Then the smaller antennae and large abdomen of 

 the female were of interest. I also thought it would be 

 best to secure the male with wings widespread if possible, 

 because his colour was stronger, his markings more pro- 

 nounced. So I helped the female on a small branch fac- 

 ing the trunk of the tree, and she rested with raised wings 

 as I fervently hoped she would. The male I placed on 

 the trunk, and with wide wings he immediately started 

 toward the female, while she advanced in his direction. 

 This showed his large antennae and all markings and 

 points especially noteworthy, being good composition 

 as well, for it centred interest; but there was one objec- 

 tion. It gave the male the conspicuous place and made 

 him appear the larger because of his nearness to the lens 

 and his wing spread; while as a matter of fact, the female 

 had almost an inch more sweep than he, and was bigger 

 at every point save the antennae. 



The light was full and strong, the lens the best money 



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