Early in February, and often even in January, this moth may be seen in abundance in almost every oak wood, sitting on the bark of the trees, or occasionally taking a short flight in the sunshine. In colour it is very variable. The wings have always a whitish ground marbled and dotted with dark brown, but in some the fore wings are almost entirely dark brown with the exception of a transverse central bar. The female has only the slightest rudiments of wings. [Illustration: FIG. 192.--THE SPRING USHER.] The caterpillar feeds on the young buds and leaves of the oak (_Quercus Robur_) and sycamore (_Acer Pseudoplatanus_), concealing itself among the small leaves which it has spun together. It is full grown in June, when it changes to a chrysalis on the surface of the ground, and remains here throughout the summer and part of the following winter. The colour of the caterpillar is very variable, but is usually pale green with white markings. _The Mottled Umber_ (_Hybernia defoliaria_) This very pretty moth is represented in fig. 8 of Plate XII. It is very common in most parts, and visits us at the fall of the leaf, generally appearing in October, and remaining on the wing till November. Our illustration gives the usual appearance of the male, but in some specimens the four wings are all of one uniform reddish-brown colour, evenly dotted all over with a darker tint. The female is quite wingless. The caterpillar is exceedingly pretty. Its head is large and brown. The back is brown, bordered with a fine black line. Below this is a broad and bright yellow line, with a red spot on each segment. The spiracles are white. It feeds during spring on oak (_Quercus Robur_), whitethorn (_Crataegus oxyacantha_), blackthorn (_Prunus spinosa_), and other trees. When disturbed it always allows itself to fall for a foot or two, and then remains swinging at the end of a silken fibre till danger is over, or hunger recalls it to its food. It changes to a chrysalis on the ground about the middle of June. _The March Moth_ (_Anisopteryx aescularia_) This is another common moth, and should be looked for during March and April on the barks of trees in oak and other woods. The fore wings are of a dingy brown colour, paler near the base, and crossed by a pale wavy line. The hind wings are lighter, with a central dark spot. But this description applies to the male only, for the female is wingless, and may be known by the tuft of hair that tips the abdomen. [Illustration: FIG. 193.--THE MARCH MOTH.] The caterpillar is pale green, clouded with a darker tint, and has a white line on each side of the back. It feeds in May on the three trees named for the last species, also on lime (_Tilia vulgaris_) and elm (_Ulmus campestris_). Family--LARENTIIDAE This is by far the most extensive family of the _Geometrae_, containing as it does considerably over a hundred species, or well nigh a half of the whole group.