388 



NATURE SKETCHES EST TEMPERATE AMERICA 



Katydids in their Night Resorts 



^IT^H the light of my lantern, I frequently 

 \\ flL%^ found katydids in the taller herbage along 

 ^ V V roadsides and fence rows. No one can 

 imagine, without personal experience, the beauty of the view 

 presented as the lantern light fell upon the profusion of 

 green herbage. Here and there, for instance, the view may be 

 enlivened by either the little slender green grasshoppers, 

 Xiphidium, on the very summit of a head of timothy, or the 

 presence of a cone-head, or the exquisite oblong-winged katydid 

 perched on the goldenrod. After a little attention is given to 

 the notes of the males, the various species can be distinguished, 

 and then one may trace them to each of the musicians. One 

 night, near the last of July, I started upon a katydid excur- 

 sion along a narrow lane. A farmer had mowed down the 

 plants along the line of the path, but leating at the fence row, 

 on one side only, a margin of native wild plants. I cautiously 

 lighted my way and had proceeded but a few minutes, when I 

 heard the high shrilling of a cone-head. In a few moments 

 more he was in the full glare of my lantern. Though I had 

 made some commotion in getting to the spot, he continued 



