MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



She was heavy with eggs, and made no attempt to fly, 

 so I closed the box and left her until the lights were out, 

 and then removed the hd. Every opening was tightly 

 screened, and as she had mated, I did not think she would 

 fly. I hoped in the freedom of the Cabin she would not 

 break her wings, and ruin herseH for a study. 



There was much comfort in the thought that I could 

 secure her likeness; her eggs would be fertile, and I could 

 raise a brood the coming season, in which would be both 

 male and female. When life was over I could add her to 

 my specimen case, for these are of the moths that do not 

 eat, and Uve only a few days after depositing their eggs. 

 So I went out and explained to Mr. Pettis what efforts I 

 had made to secure this yellow moth, comforted him for 

 allowing the male to escape by telhng him I could raise 

 all I wanted from the eggs of the female, showed him my 

 entire collection, and sent him from the Cabin such a 

 friend to my work, that it was he who brought me an oil- 

 coated lark a few days later. Throughout the summer in 

 his drives across country he kept my work in mind, and 

 frequently brought me another moth, a bird in distress 

 from oil, or something I could use or save suffering. Now 

 he is one of the men on whom I depend to watch for me, 

 and bring anything there is even a hope I can use, or guide 

 me to the haunts of birds he sees while about his business. 



On rising early the next morning, I found my moth had 

 deposited some eggs on the dining-room floor, before the 



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