354 Records of the Indian Museum. [Vol. XXII, 



most Papilios is that while at rest on a tree, especially when 

 feeding on flowers, they keep on fluttering their wings. This 

 habit is least marked in P. demoletis and most pronounced in 

 P. polytes, the "mimetic" females especially. It is possibly 

 connected with the maintenance of balance. 



The larger Pierids on the island fly high and swiftly, and 

 are able to wend their way through thick jungle with remarkable 

 dexterity. Cololis Calais amatus flies rather feebly and low. 

 The feeblest Pierid on the wing is the little Leplosia xiphia, which 

 rarely rises more than a few feet from the ground and is most 

 at home among undergrowth. 



Observations on the Danainae. 



On Barkuda the habits of this interesting group are very 

 much the same as those described by previous authors elsewhere. 

 The statement that the butterflies are capable of flying long 

 distances is borne out by the fact that we have often seen 

 individuals flj'ing in their characteristic manner over a consi- 

 derable stretch of water to the mainland, to the neighbouring 

 islands and even across the lake, a distance of about six miles. 



In Euploea core, Danais plexippus and D. chrysippus the 

 mating is usually prolonged, the pair flying about from plant 

 to plant. The male often takes an active part in the nuptial 

 flight, but also, perhaps in the latter part of the flight, is often 

 quite inert, being dragged behind her through the air by the 

 female. The pair occasionally rest on a shrub for a period during 

 which they are very sluggish and can be captured with ease. In 

 Euploea the anal pencils of the male are erected continuously for 

 long periods during flight, probably before mating takes place. 

 The male of Hypolimnas bolina has on two occasions been observed 

 hovering round Euploea core, as if uncertain whether it was the 

 female of his own species or not. 



When separated durmg mating, or when attacked, a drop of 

 straw-coloured fluid is emitted at the tip of the pencils and from 

 the scent glands on the wing, but we have not observed any 

 approximation of the two pairs of organs.' 



Miscellaneous Notes. 



In August, 1920 a single specimen of Vanessa cardui was 

 observed to turn its tail towards the sun deliberately, in such a 

 way as to cast no shadow, but this does not necessarily imply that 

 it did so for a purpose. The movement may have been due purely 

 to temperature reaction. 



The black and white Neptis hylas astola is very inconspicuous 

 when resting on a leaf. It deliberately selects a leaf situated 

 under an overhanging bough, so as to receive the benefit of 

 the shade that is thrown on it. The butterfly rests pressed against 



1 See Eltringham, Trans. Ent. Sue. Land , 1913, p. 399, and for a description 

 of the scent organs In Danais chrysippus, Eliringhani, ibid., 1915, pp. 166-168, 



