Bedford Station, Westchester Co., N. Y., June 17, 1881.
Will some of the readers of Harper's Young People help me to obtain (alive) some of the caterpillars of the Cecropia, Polypheme, Luna, and Promethea moths? They are found from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
The eggs of the first of these are found in the Southern States in May, and in the Northern States in June, are kidney-shaped and white, and are found on the leaves of apple, cherry, and wild plum trees. The caterpillar measures from three to four inches in length, is light green, with red warts or knobs with black hairs on them. It is about the size of a woman's middle finger.
The caterpillar of the second variety is found on oak, elm, and lime trees in July and August. Its body is blue-green, with orange and purple warts, its head and feet black.
The caterpillar of the third variety is much like the second, but is found on walnut and hickory trees.
The caterpillar of the fourth variety feeds on sassafras-trees. It is large, like the others, bluish-green, except the head, feet, and tail, which are yellow. There are sometimes small wart-like spots on it, either red or blue.
I want the cocoons, the caterpillars, and the eggs. The caterpillars can be sent safely by mail, I think, in a perforated box, with some of the proper leaves inclosed with them, unless the distance is too great.
Mrs. L. Luquer.
Havana, Illinois.
We had an evergreen bell for Christmas, and this spring we hung it out in the porch, when some little birds came, made a nest in it, laid eggs, and hatched out little birds. We could stand in the porch and watch the mother bird bring worms to feed her little ones. I am six years old.
Jewell A.
They were "cute" little birds, to choose so cozy a place for housekeeping.