When Darkness has fallen. 107 



regions. A low, wailing sound which this insect 

 emits has greatly added to the terror which its 

 appearance inspires among ignorant rustics. The 

 death's-head moth is a really splendid insect. Its 

 stretched wings cover four and a half inches, and 

 it is the largest of the British Lepidoptera. As 

 is well known, it has its popular name from a 

 marvellously good representation of a skull and 

 crossbones upon the upper part of the thorax a 

 mark which has caused it to be an object of 

 dread in every country which it inhabits. Flutter- 

 ing at the window in the darkness, or entering 

 the house by the open door, just after the close 

 of twilight, it is considered a certain omen of 

 death. Like the hoarse croak of the raven, and 

 the " boding" hoot of the owl, the appearance 

 of this moth is said to be followed by disease 

 and death. The power possessed by the death's- 

 head insect of emitting a shrill, creaking sound, 

 is thought to be unique among the British Lepi- 

 doptera, and each time the strange sound is 

 emitted, the whole body gives a convulsive sort 

 of start. The insect can be induced to utter this 

 strange note by being irritated. 



Another especially interesting night-flyer is 

 the ghost moth. Just as the twilight of a summer 

 evening is deepening into darkness, and a soft, 

 warm wind stirs the foliage of the woods, the 

 ghost moth comes abroad. The observer sees a 



