90. BULLETIN 15 7, U. S. N-ATIOIsrAL MUSEUM 



weather. Like the monarch {Danaus plexippus) this butterfly, at 

 least in a very light wind, travels in any direction, though always 

 in a straight line, in contrast to the pierids, which, so far as I have 

 seen, always travel against the wind. 



When frightened the painted lady dashes diagonally upward, 

 then turns abruptly to the left or right, circles about, and commonly 

 returns to the place from which it started, alights, immediately turns 

 its back to the sun, and spreads its wings. As it rises into the air 

 it is very conspicuous, but on turning a second or so later it seems 

 abruptly to disappear, owing to the presentation of the gray under- 

 surface of the wings to the observer. If disturbed while feeding it 

 quickly circles about and returns to the same or a neighboring plant, 

 and on alighting spreads its wings. If badly frightened it rises 

 to a height of 10 or 15 feet or more and makes off with great speed 

 in a straight line. 



It is fond of sunning itself on hot exposed rocks or on bare spots 

 in roads with the head away from the sun and the wings spread out 

 horizontally. 



When this butterfly is feeding, the wings are usually closed above 

 the back with the fore wings drawn somewhat forward, exposing 

 the brilliant color of the undersurface, but from time to time the 

 wings are suddenly opened and afteisft^second or two closed again. 



This butterfly usually hides away at sight in short grass, as near 

 the roots as possible, or in the interior of such low-spreading plants 

 as beach peas; but it will hide also in hedges, or in almost any place 

 that offers suitable concealment. When disturbed it flies out at once, 

 so that in the great majority of specimens caught the wings are 

 more or less cut or torn, although the damage is not usually extensive. 



The painted lady is very fond of flowers, particularly of thistles 

 and other composites, of the milkweed and buttonbush, the beach 

 pea, and of the privet and other garden plants. It prefers flowers 

 from 3 to 6 feet above the ground, though it is often to be seen on 

 beach peas and on the red clover. When feeding on privet and milk- 

 weed it is, like other butterflies, especially easy to catch. 



Seaso7is. — Ragged and faded individuals are seen in the last half 

 of May and well into June. These are butterflies that have hiber- 

 nated as adults. They are always few in numbers, at least in the 

 District. About the middle of June fresh butterflies of the summer 

 brood appear, and by the end of the month have become common. 

 When the butterflies of this brood have become worn and faded and 

 have greatly decreased in numbers, those of the autumn brood ap- 

 pear, beginning about the first of September. By the middle of 

 September these have become common, and fresh butterflies continue 

 to emerge until cold weather; that is, until late in October. So far 

 as I know, fresh butterflies are never found here in spring, so that 



