R. W. BOWYER-METHODS OF MOTH-COLLECTING. 
25 
a moth is sitting on a tree within a foot or two of him, and still he 
cannot find it, when to yourself it almost obtrudes itself on the 
eye. At Hhileybury, on the palings round the park, large numbers 
of species have been found from time to time. I have known boys 
waiting for the college gates to be opened in the morning, and then 
making a rush for the palings. I am sure that on the palings 
round Panshanger many a rarity could be found: I wish they were 
within easier reach. In this mode of collecting one of the great 
charms of the subject is noticed, the wonderful harmonisation of 
the colouring and markings of moths with the objects on which 
they rest. A moth which appears in March, Xylocampa litliorhiza , 
requires an experienced eye to detect it as it sits on oak palings. 
Species which rest on lichen-covered trees may easily escape notice. 
One gets to observe that in the autumn, when the leaves are 
turning yellow, a large number of species are coloured yellow. In 
fact, the more one collects, the more interesting in this point of 
protective resemblances must the subject become. 
In the course of a country walk many a moth may be caught 
which has been accidentally disturbed by the foot or stick and has 
then flown to some accessible resting-place. It is for occasions like 
this that one should always he supplied with little boxes. 
When the net is brought into requisition, even in the daytime, 
large captures may be made. It is a great mistake to suppose that 
the line of distinction between butterflies and moths is that the 
former fly by day, and the latter by night. Many moths fly 
naturally in the daytime, in the sunshine, and are readily netted 
then; but, if hedges and trees are beaten with a stick, anything at 
rest waiting for dusk is easily dislodged and perhaps caught. Just 
at dusk, when one can see to collect without a lantern, and when a 
beating-stick is no longer necessary, I know of no more pleasant 
occupation than collecting while taking a stroll by the side of a 
wood on a warm summer evening. 
It is of course after dark that the main part of moth-collecting 
begins. If you live in a favourable situation, you may never stir 
out at night and yet make an extensive collection; put a protected 
light at an open window, and plenty of insects will come. The 
powers of observation are much quickened even in this way; you 
get to know what kind of nights are good for moths, and when you 
may as well put out your light and go to bed. Sultry, cloudy 
nights with moist atmosphere are good, while a bright moonlight 
night will produce little. A drizzling rain means good sport; it 
takes a steady downpour to keep a moth at home ; a sudden 
shower will often send them by dozens into a room. You will get 
to see how punctual some species are in their appearance; I have 
heard it said that a collector might often regulate his watch by the 
arrival of certain moths. 
If you go out for a stroll with a hand-lantern, the interest is to 
my mind far greater. Many moths may of course he netted as they 
fly by the light, but a very effective way is to leave the net at 
home, take a large supply of chip-boxes, and search the natural 
