76 THE PESTS OF THE FARM. 



in almost every quarter of the United States. His favorite reu 

 dence, however, is in the dark solitudes of deep swamps, covered 

 with a growth of gigantic timber ; and here, as soon as evening 

 draws on, and mankind retire to rest, he sends forth such sounds 

 as seem scarcely to belong to this world, startling the solitary pil- 

 grim as he slumbers by his forest fire, " making night hideous." 



It preys on young rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, partridges, and 

 small birds of various kinds. It has been often known to prowl 

 about the farm-house, and carry off chickens from roost. 



The owl being nocturnal, is not easily shot, but may be occasion- 

 ally. He may be taken in traps baited with mice, fowls, or any ol 

 his usual food. 



SECTION III. 



INSECTS. 



IT is in the larva state that the ravages of insects are most felt, and 

 this requires a word or two of explanation. 



BUTTERFLIES, MOTHS, and many other insects, undergo a succes- 

 sion of changes, or transformations, prior to their assuming their 

 last and frequently gorgeous form, under which we see them flut- 

 tering from flower to flower. Of course, I speak now more parti- 

 cularly of the butterfly. The moths are usually, though, no doubt, 

 many of them are extremely beautiful, much more sober in their 

 movements, and less gaudy in their plumage. They are, also, prin- 

 cipally of nocturnal habits, and consequently come less frequently, 

 and less strikingly, under our notice. 



The female moth or butterfly deposits an egg, which, gradually 

 ripening to maturity, becomes, a maggot, grub, or caterpillar. This 

 is called the larva, and it is in this stage that the insects prove 

 most noxious to the farmer's crops. These larvse are excessively 

 voracious, and their ravages terminate only with their next trans- 

 formation into the state of pupa, or chrysalis. Prior to assuming 

 this state, the caterpillar forsakes its food, and seeks some retired 

 and safe retreat, usually burying itself for this purpose under- 

 ground. The head then gradually bends forward, and the face is 

 embraced by the upper or thoracic feet ; the body likewise becomes 

 "jontracted in its dimensions, more particularly in its length, and 



