MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



on which I found the lo and several other fine moths. As 

 soon as the inside hgiits are on, myriads of mosquitoes, 

 gnats, small flies, and moths gather at the top of this 

 window. Then up comes Mr. Tree Toad, and no one 

 can imagine just where he stores all he consumes. His 

 method is to sit immovably in one spot until something 

 approaches. Then, so quietly the thrust is almost invis- 

 ible, out darts his tongue, and the insect is gone. After 

 taking two or three in one place, he moves a few feet, and 

 repeats the process. Several times I placed a camera, 

 focused on a limb or tree trunk, gently transfeiTed him 

 and took his picture. If you see a tree toad among the 

 illustrations of any book of mine, you may be reasonably 

 sure that he posed for it ; although I did once carry a pair 

 from the swamps in Michigan and make several studies 

 before releasing them 



During the summer of 1904 he slept among the flower 

 pots by day, and went hunting on the window at night; 

 where he wintered we did not know. The summer of 

 1905 he, or one that appeared similar to him, and pur- 

 sued the same methods, homed among the palms, and 

 hunted on the window. In the fall, this one entered the 

 basement before the ventilators were closed. The fur- 

 nace kept the temperature even, and above freezing. 

 What he ate I cannot surmise; perhaps there were spiders. 

 Anyway, he was alive, and singing throughout his time 

 of hibernation. Every few days we heard him, and in 



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