THE MOUKNING CLOAK OR ANTIOPA BUTTERFLY. 23 



When the warm rays of the April sun have 2>enetrated to the 

 retreats of these butterflies, they come forth to flit slowly about 

 in sunny glades, seeking shelter at night and during stormy 

 weather. Their beauty is likely to be somewhat faded, but the 

 early stroller in the woods is gladdened by their sight, as they 

 sail through the air above the lingering drifts of snow, or plun- 

 der here and there the nectar from the first willow " pussies." 



As spring advances the mourning cloak butterflies visit the 

 fragrant blooms of the arbutus and other flowers. From these 

 they suck the nectar, and in return for the sweet food they 

 carry the pollen from flower to flower. 



When the settled warmth of May has brought out the leaves 

 of the trees and shrubs, these butterflies lay their eggs in clus- 

 tered rows upon the twigs of elm, willow, and poplar. Then 

 the butterflies, having lived to what for a butterfly is a green 

 old age, die one by one. 



About two weeks after the eggs are laid they hatch into 

 tiny caterpillars. Each caterpillar gnaws the eggshell around 

 its upper edge until a circular lid is cut out. This is pushed 

 upward and the caterpillar crawls out. 



After thus hatching, all the caterpillars from one cluster of 

 eggs. crawl upon a neighboring leaf. Here they "range them- 

 selves side by side in compact rows " with their heads toward 

 the edge of the leaf. Then they feed together upon the green 

 substance of the leaf, but do not eat the veiny framework. 



As the caterpillars grow they seek new leaves. In doing this 

 they have to scatter more or less because one leaf will not sup- 

 port them all. But they remain close together upon one twig, 

 the leaves of which suffer sadly. For the growing caterpillars 

 no longer are content with the green surface, but eat all the leaf 

 except the larger veins. Before the cater[)illars stop eating even 

 the principal veins are devoured, and only the midribs are left. 



