26 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 1890- 



of grass. The Catopsilia come with a series of vigorous, bounding 

 sweeps and curves ; they all look as if they were hurrying to catch 

 the last train, but were undecided which course to steer. A few 

 «' swallow-tails " are seen majestically sailing along, P. polyrnnestor 

 flashing out in its livery of black and azure, while P. nomius, with 

 delicate pale green wings, iC zebra-marked," flutters in and out the 

 bushes. Wherever the ground is slightly moist they most do seem 

 to congregate, and on some chosen spots, apparently not different to 

 many close by, they cluster literally in scores, one might say hun- 

 dreds, presenting a most lovely and animated appearance, as they 

 eagerly suck up the moisture through their trunks. Among them 

 we may see a Charaxes or two — these are grand creatures in 

 their manner of flight, such power, such ease, such swiftness ! 

 Disturbed, they are off like lightning, and disappear from sight like 

 spirits ; but one has only to wait, and back they come to the same 

 spot, so that by a stealthy approach and one swift movement of 

 the net they are captured. 



Down in the khuds and in the deepest shade we come across 

 the Kallima and Melanitis again, as well as various kinds of Hes- 

 peridce, that are crepuscular in their habits. 



A Melanitis, when disturbed during the day, acts for all the 

 world just as an owl does, and hurries along as if it could not see 

 properly, in irregular waves of flight, knocking up against anything 

 that happens to be in the way. But only wait till evening, just 

 when the sun has set, for — 



It is the hour, when from the boughs 

 The nightingale's high note is heard ; 



It is the hour when lovers' vows * 



Seem sweet in every whisper'cl word — 



And gentle winds and waters near, 

 Make music to the lonely ear. 



Each flower the dews have lightly wet, 

 And in the sky the stars are met, 



A nd on the wave is deeper blue, 

 And on the leaf a browner hue, 



And in the heaven that clear obscure, 

 So softly dark, and darkly pure, 



Which follows the decline of day, 

 As twilight melts beneath the moon away— 



