Salty

@Prydera and most orange tabbies are males.

@Catherine And today I learned what TIL means.

@Dayle Yes. Actually, when a monarch caterpillar molts its 5th time what emerges is a chrysalis. Moths also pupate and form chrysalids but first they wrap themselves in silk and pupate inside this silk cocoon. Moth chrysalids are inside cocoons. Butterflies have naked pupae (fun fact). Many people are confused on this point, including Eric Carle, the author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

@Shelley I agree. I didn't like Night ____ (bird) because even though I'm a birder I thought the answer would have to use "bird" as in 75 across. And the random abbreviations etc. What do you mean by "multiple ups"?

@SBK With DNA analysis many species that superficially resembled each other have been found to be distant. I think storks have been moved out of the order Pelecaniformes to Ciconiiforms. I believe storks might be more closely related to vultures (see their bald heads).

@Andrew Thanks, I had LOTTA till now. And since I don't play bridge I figured EAST T was something.

@z-man I also solve on paper. And I found it to be one step too many for my brain. So I wrote the answers to the italicized clues next to the brackets. Still had to cheat a bit to finish the inside puzzle.