GOLD-TAILED MOTH. 133 



seem to be aware that birds are on the watch and 

 ichneumons awaiting their opportunity. 



There is a very pretty moth covered with a downy 

 white plumage even to the very toes, and carrying 

 at the extremity of its tail a tuft of golden silky hair. 

 From this coloured tuft, the creature bears the name 

 of Gold-tailed Moth. It may often be found sticking 

 tightly to the bark of tree stems, its glossy white 

 wings folded roof-like over its back, and the golden 

 tuft just showing itself from the white wings. 



This golden tuft is only found fully developed in 

 the female moth, and comes into use when she de- 

 posits her eggs. The moth is shown on plate E, fig. 

 4. 



As the eggs are laid in the summer time, they 

 need no guard from cold ; but they do require to be 

 sheltered from too high a degree of temperature, 

 and for this purpose the silken tuft is used. 



At the very end of the tail the moth carries a pair 

 of pincers, which she can twist about in all direc- 

 tions ; and this tool is used for the proper settlement 

 of the eggs. The moth, after fixing on a proper 

 spot, pinches off a tiny tuft of down, spreads it 

 smoothly, lays an egg upon it, covers it over, and 

 finally combs the hair so as to lie evenly. And when 

 she has laid the full complement, she gives the whole 

 mass some finishing touches, like a mother tucking- 

 in her little baby in the bed-clothes, and smoothing 

 them neatly over it, 



