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Stratton-Porter, Gene, 1863-1924

"Moths of the Limberlost"

"Why I never had a better time in my
life, and I can teach the children what you 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. McCollum 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. McCollum'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 frequently 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.


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