144 the entomologist's record. 



this, in spite of most brilliant sunshine, and the remarkable summer 

 temperature of rather over 80° F. Not a single hybernated butterfly 

 was noticed in a five hours' walk. — A. M. Cochrane, Lewisham. May 

 Uth, 1907. 



Feeding-habits of Gonepteryx rhamni. — On the morning of May 

 5th, a moderately sunny morning, but with considerable haze, and 

 rather more than a nip of east wind, Mr. Ovenden and I walked to 

 Bush on an exploring expedition for Trochiliitni andrenaeforme mines 

 and patches of Conyza squarrosa, in which we hoped for larvae of 

 Hellinsia carphodactyla. Whilst success attended Mr. Ovenden's 

 efforts in one of these directions, I was personally much more in- 

 terested in the feeding-habits of Gonepteryx rhamni. The coolness of 

 the morning was sufficient to prevent many species flying, and, with 

 the exception of two or three Pieris rapae, and a single nicely banded 

 Nisoniades tages, no other freshly-emerged specimens were noted. 

 Vanessa io was observed on three occasions, all busy sunning on the 

 bare ground, resting with wings well expanded, but far too wary to 

 allow a close approach when an attempt was made to determine the 

 sex. The most interesting point, however, was the fact that, though 

 no $ s of Gonepteryx rhamni were observed, three females were spotted, 

 each of the three seated closely down on a capitulum of dandelion, 

 exceedingly busy, feeding on the nectar of the freshly-blown flowers. 

 They were not at all wary or keen, one not objecting to allowing itself 

 to be picked up with the fingers after a little care, whilst the others 

 were scarely more active, and, being disturbed, soon returned to their 

 gastronomic labours. The interesting point to me was the apparent 

 certainty that the hybernating J s of this species at least have to do 

 considerable feeding before commencing the important functions of 

 pairing and egglaying. — J. W. Tutt. 



Hemerophila abruptaria and Celastrina argiolus in Westcombe 

 Park. — Hemerophila abruptaria is not at all uncommon in the garden 

 this year, and on May 9th a 3 came into the house to light. On the 

 11th two or three Celastrina art/iolus were also seen in the garden. — 

 F. M. Tutt. Mai/ 12th, 1907." 



SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 



An episode in the pairing of Pieris brassicjE. — On March 30th, 

 at Hyeres, I saw three white butterflies whirling round each other in 

 small circles, as cabbage (and other) butterflies often do. They 

 happened to come quite close to me, and one settled on the ground. 

 They were Pieris brassicae, and the one that settled was a female, she 

 sat quietly with her wings closed (very different from the attitude, with 

 wings spread and abdomen raised, with which the fertilised female 

 shows her objection to, and, in fact, prevents, the attentions of the 

 male), and after a further circle or two, both the male butterflies 

 settled down beside her, not, however, quietly, but moving actively 

 beside her. They were only a few feet from me, but I thought I 

 should like to be a little nearer them, but almost before I could move, 

 and within only a few seconds of the male butterflies settling, one of 

 them flew off, carrying the female with him, the other followed for a 

 few yards, and then went off. The pair then settled down some ten 

 or fifteen yards away. The whole episode took place within something 



