BRITISH BUTTERFLIES 



now a moth would be near the top of the tree, and now 

 he would be down within two yards or so of the ground ; 

 this was more like the rise and drop of the winter gnats 

 in column than the meadow swinging of the ghost moth. 



But the oddest feature in this tree variation was the 

 attention two [male moths would pay each other. 

 Whether it were rivalry, or whether insect sport and 

 game, I could not say. Two moths would pursue each 

 other apparently now one, now the other, being 

 pursuer up and down, and even in and out among 

 the outer leaves of the tree. They would lose each 

 other in these chases, but find each other actually 

 distinguish each other among several ghost moths 

 and give chase again in a few moments. Constantly 

 they would collide, brush against or tap one another, 

 and at each tap the lovely gloss of the wings, perhaps 

 the fine brown fur of the tippet, too, must have lost 

 a little. 



As to the female ghost moths, I did not see them 

 engaging in this dainty play, though several were 

 hovering over the grasses. The female's movements 

 slightly differ from the male's. From what I have seen, 

 I cannot think she is attracted by the liveliest male 

 dancer or the largest in size the males differ much 

 or the most satiny, exacting or nice in her choice of a 

 lover ; and more, I now have some doubts whether 

 the male seeks and finds his lady by eyesight at all. 



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