42 The Scottish Naturalist. 



Thecla Qiiercus is common on Moncreiffe Hill, and also on 

 plantations at its base, amongst oak trees. It is, however, 

 not easy to obtain in good condition, as it usually frequents 

 the tops of the trees. I have seen it swarming occasionally 

 round the oak tops in fine weather, and have sometimes taken 

 it at the blossoms of the ragwort. On one occasion I took a 

 specimen at rest on the flower of that plant at night, when 

 examining the heads for insects with a lantern. 



T. Rubi. — In 1871, when I first noticed this pretty little but- 

 terfly, it was confined principally to one spot, amongst Vac- 

 ci7iiuin (bilberry). Since that time, however, it has spread over 

 the whole of the hill wherever that plant grows, flying in the 

 sunshine, and suddenly disappearing when the sky becomes 

 clouded. In wet, cloudy weather, and at night, it rests upon 

 the surrounding trees, and may then be beaten out of the 

 branches, being specially partial to birch as a resting place. What 

 the food-plant of the larva may be I cannot say, as few, if any, 

 papilionaceous plants grow in the locality, and certainly little 

 or no bramble."^ Altitude about 600 feet, more or less. 



Folyo7nmatus Phlceas. — Common in all open spaces, and 

 requires no comments. Varies slightly in shades of ground 

 colour. 



Lyccena Alsus. — Not common. I once took a specimen fly- 

 ing, or rather hovering, on the lee side of a sugared tree. 



L. Icarus {^Alexis). — Common, but more numerous in some 

 seasons than in others. I have seen almost every buttercup in 

 a field occupied by this pretty little insect, and in a few days 

 not one would be left ; probably they migrate according to the 

 weather, or for other causes. 



Z. Artaxerxes. — Local and uncertain in its appearance. 

 Never common, but usually to be obtained every season. I do 

 not recollect having observed it except in two localities, one 

 of which must be nearly 600 feet above sea level, and the other 

 about 120. I have taken it usually after three o'clock in the 

 afternoon. I have never observed the slightest variation in 

 the markings of this insect. 



Several other species (e.g., Argyimis Selcjie and Euj^hrosync,) 

 ought to occur here, but I have not yet observed them. Our list 

 of butterflies, as will be seen, must be considered decidedly a 



* I have always found this insect amongst Vacdtiium myriillns, on which 

 the larva must surely feed. I am not aware, however, that it has been 

 seen to do so. — Ed. Scot. Nat. 



