12 
NATURE STUDY NOTES 
April, May or June—is creamy white; this changes 
to dull brown. Shape, loaf-shaped with crinkled 
tops, where the Mantis has placed her numerous 
eggs. These hatch six months later (October- 
December). Nests found in late spring or in 
summer months should be placed in glass jars, or 
in the School Insectarium, so that scholars mav 
have the interesting and amusing experience of 
seeing the antics of the peculiar young insects as 
they emerge from the nest. Old empty nests can 
be recognized by the double row of tiny holes along 
the top of each. 
NOTES—The Mantis is one of the orthoptera 
(see p. 8). These insects have no “larva" and no 
“pupa" stage. FYlly-grown specimens are fairly 
numerous in the foliage of hedge plants and 
ornamental shrubs during the months of March 
and April. (See illustrations, pp. 13, 29.) 
THE CICADA 
DESCRIPTION—Frequently miscalled a locust. 
(See pp. 8, 13.) Head, short and broad, with large 
prominent eyes. There are also three tiny eyes, 
forming a triangle on top of the head. Antennae, 
or feelers, very short. Wings, four, gauzy. 
SONG—On a sunny day, the male Cicadas are 
heard “singing" almost continuously— 
ezzz .... click, clack 
ezzz .... click, clack 
whilst resting on a post, tree branch or wall. The 
“click clack" noise is made by beating the tough 
edges of their wings against the wood or wall 
material. The “singing" ezz noise is made by the . 
