BUTTERFLIES OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 171 



and lots. Still others fed when young upon nasturtiums, to which 

 the caterpillars are occasionally destructive. 



There are seven specimens from the District and vicinity in the 

 National Museum. Of the two males one is dated April 30, 1915 

 (Chittenden), and the other September, 1898 (F. C. Pratt). A 

 female is dated June 28, 1889, and another is labeled " on violet, is- 

 sued September 7, 1898." There are two females from Arlington, 

 Va., taken on June 29, 1916 (V. A. Roberts). There are five speci- 

 mens in the Schonborn collection, and Mr. Shoemaker has specimens 

 from Arlington County, Va., just over the Free Bridge, taken be- 

 tween April 25 and May 1. 



Habits. — The cabbage butterfly has a very meandering, but rather 

 active, flight, coursing hither and thither li^ or 2 feet above the 

 ground. Its restless turning first to one side and then to the other 

 and its frequent doubling on its tracks are very characteristic. The 

 males are more active than the females, more constantly on the wing 

 and resting less frequently and for shorter periods ; their flight is also 

 stronger and more irregular. 



It has long been known that this butterfly has a partiality for 

 white flowers, though it often visits flowers of other colors, especially 

 clovers. During the approach of a storm I have seen it searching 

 along a privet hedge for whitened leaves under which to rest. 



When mated pairs are disturbed the male flies off carrying the 

 female. 



Not infrequently this butterfly appears in houses in midwinter, 

 especially in the country districts, though sometimes even in Wash- 

 ington. It is abundant about farms wherever cabbages are grown, 

 and the caterpillars often pupate on firewood if it happens to be 

 piled near a cabbage patch. When the wood is brought into the 

 house for burning the warmth of the house causes the pupae to give 

 forth the butterflies, which are usually first noticed fluttering about 

 the windows. 



Seasons. — The European cabbage butterfly first appears early in 

 the third week in March and by early April it has become common. 

 The females appear about a week later than the earliest males. The 

 butterfly continues to fly through May, but becomes very scarce 

 toward the end of the month. A few fresh individuals appear during 

 the first week in June, and before the middle of the month the species 

 is again common. Fresh individuals appear throughout July and in 

 increasing numbers until the end of the summer. The third brood 

 appears in the early part of August, but its appearance is masked by 

 the great number of butterflies of the previous brood still on the 

 wing. From about the middle of June onward caterpillars in all 

 stages and adults are always present. 



