206 The Wilson Bulletin — No. Go. 



August 22 the same bird, or another in the same place, was 

 observed. It i's to be hoped that the species forms a perma- 

 nent settlement with us as it would form a most interesting 

 addition to our avi-fauna. 



The resident Woodcock covers seem pretty well depleted 

 this sunamer, and in places where ome or two cani usually be 

 found through the summer none were seen until tlie migrants 

 came in in October. The cause of this is hard to tell unless it 

 was the general aestivation of the marshy grounds driving 

 them out to seek food and shelter elsewhere, though this did 

 not occur until August, and their absence was noticed as early 

 as April. 



August 9 I took an Underwing Moth (Cotocala cava) that 

 had some ornithological interest. Across the fore part of both 

 upper and lower wings appears a V-shaped mark, sharp and 

 clear, as if made by a knife, where the colored scales have been 

 removed. It is, the mark made by the snap of a bird's bill 

 and so clearly shaped is it, that the species of the bird can be 

 easily recognized. It was evidently a Crested Flycatcher 

 whose sharp eyes discovered this moth asleep on the tree bark 

 and coveted it. Evidently the moth disposed otherwise in 

 that case, only to be secured later in my collecting bottle This 

 moth, asi it sleeps in the day time against the bark with its 

 wings folded, so exactly matches the surface that it is on as 

 to escape all but the closest scrutiny. Evidently, however, 

 protective coloration has met its match ini the sharp eye of the 

 flycatcher. This is not the moth's only protection. It usually 

 sleeps on the under side of a trunk with its head down. On 

 the approach of an enemy it waits until the last moment be- 

 fore being touched and then drops with a disconcerting sud- 

 denness that usually baffles the inexperienced, and often the 

 experienced as well. Then off it goes with a strong, though 

 jerky flight, alternately displaying and concealing the bril- 

 liant red and black banding of its hind wings in a manner that 

 ma,kes it most difficult to follov/ even with the eye. From, the 

 positions of the bill marks on both wings it is evident that the 

 attempt to capture was made while the moth was sitting 

 quietly. Once caught its strength and quickness had enabled it 



