MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



have told me. I'll bring you everything I can get my 

 fingers on that you can use, and send for you when I find 

 bird nests." 



Mrs. McCoUum has kept that promise faithfully. 

 Again and again she trudged those three miles, bringing 

 me small specimens of many species or to let me know 

 that she had found a nest. 



A big oak tree in Mrs. McCoUum's yard explained the 

 presence of a Luna there, as the caterpillars of this specie 

 greatly prefer these leaves. Because the oak is of 

 such slow growth it is seldom planted around residences 

 for ornamental purposes; but is to be found most fre- 

 quently in the forest. For this reason Luna as a rule is 

 a moth of the deep wood, and so is seldom seen close a 

 residence, making people believe it quite rare. As a 

 matter of fact, it is as numerous, where the trees 

 its caterpillars frequent are to be found, as any other 

 moth in its natural location. Because it is of the 

 forest, the brightest light there is to attract it is the 

 glare of the moon as it is reflected on the face of a murky 

 pool, or on the breast of the stream rippling its way 

 through impassable thickets. There must be a self-satis- 

 fied smile on the face of the man in the moon, in whose 

 honour these delicate creatures are named, when on fragile 

 wing they hover above his mirrored reflection; for of all 

 the beauties of a June night in the forest, these moths 

 are most truly his. 



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