THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 137 



the theories had failed to agree. Several causes have combined recently 

 to turn my attention to the subject, notably a question from Mr. W. H. 

 Edwards, as to its time of ovipositing here, which I could answer only 

 in the most general terms. I have always regarded it as a misfortune 

 that Mr. Roland Thaxter, in his account of what he saw in Florida (Can. 

 Ent., Vol. xii, No. 2), did not give the month or months in which his 

 observations were made ; it might have assisted us much in forming an 

 opinion as to whether they were flocks from the north come for the pur- 

 pose of going into hibernation or not. although the fact of some of them 

 pairing is decidedly against the idea that these, at all events, intended to 

 hibernate. They make their appearance here about the latter part of 

 May, according as the season favors ; the first ones are restless and 

 energetic, like males looking for mates ; not in the least broken or 

 damaged ; not so rich and bright in color as fall specimens, but fairly 

 good withal. In a week or so they become more plentiful, and begin to 

 mate, and for a time are scarcely seen but in pairs. Shortly after eggs 

 may be found on the flower clusters of the milk-weed, which is not yet 

 in bloom. They never seem to entirely disappear till fall, fresh hatched 

 specimens mingling with the old battered ones of the early season. Their 

 conduct in spring is quite in harmony with that of species which hatch 

 from the chrysalis here. If they hibernated in this locality I should 

 expect them to put in an appearance a good deal earlier than they do. I 

 regard it as a particularly interesting creature in every respect ; although 

 so common, it is never " vulgar," never in a hurry ; it has the easy grace 

 of the leisurely class. I have thought that one who has seen it only in 

 an open country can form but an inadequate conception of the diversity 

 of its movements on the wing. To see one on a bright summer day, when 

 a stiff breeze is blowing, disport itself about the wide-spreading top of a 

 high tree, is a choice pleasure. It seems to fairly revel with delight 

 in a gale ; now it rolls and tosses and heaves, always heading against the 

 wind ; now it spreads its sails to the breeze, and is hurried violently 

 backward and upward ; again it furls them, and, slowly descending and 

 advancing, it describes a variety of the most charmingly graceful curves 

 and waves and undulations imaginable ; a thing of beauty to' look at, and 

 a joy to think of forever after. Attempts have been made to attach to it 

 common names. I have thought, when watching one at such a time, that 

 '•' the storm king" would be very appropriate, and quite befitting its regal 



